Quote:
Originally Posted by GTripp0012
Tagging GW as a genius would be to ignore his flaws, and the results those flaws caused.
In a single game situation, tactical coaching is pretty important. I mean, a few plays here and there can change who wins and loses a game.
But here's the thing: can you name even one instance where going into the game you were able to say, "Team A is more talented than team B on paper, but Team B's coach is 100 times smarter than coach A and will never loose this game" and be right?
Of course not. It's just as easy for the perceived "dumb coach" to get lucky and totally outscheme the opposing "genius". It happens all the time. Spurrier outschemed Belichiek. It happens, and it happens every week in the NFL.
Therefore, over the long haul, Easterbrook is correct. Williams may have outschemed his opponent one week, and then got beaten the next. No coach is hired to coach a single game, so it's safe to say that these guys know each other well enough that they give no significant edge over the course of the season.
If you disagree with this, I implore you to name some geniuses in the NFL, and I'll be happy to point out instances where they totally got their lunch handed to them by the opposing coach.
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Your point is well taken but that still doesn't in any way negate the opinion that coaching is extremely important & a major factor in a teams performance over the long haul. Yes, in any game you might see the nobody beat the "genius" but the measure of coaches is over seasons & in playoff games. Spurrier beat Belicheck & the Skins were 3-1 in 03, but later that year he lost control of the team & they all looked foolish v. the cowpokes when Hassellback had a 0.0 rating & crack dealer T. Hambrick had like 173 yards. By the end of the year there was no question that Spurrier was literally out of his league & he knew it too.
One of the best examples in pro sports of the impact of coaching IMO is Phil Jackson's first year w/the Lakers. He's often criticized as always having talented players, but go back & look at that team when Kurt Rambis was coaching them. They had Kobe, Glen Rice & Shaq yet they couldn't get out of the first round of the playoffs. Phil takes over & they go on to win 3 straight titles.
I think if anything what is often overstated about coaches is the "genius" line while what is overlooked is simple; motivation. Good coaches are good leaders & know how to motivate players. GW got his guys to play hard & he prepared them like few in the nfl can IMO. We will definitely miss Gregg Williams.