Second coming of Reggie White?

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by FRPLG

I don't think Norv is a great coach but I think he is ok. I do think his teams were awful more because he just didn't have all that much talent. The poor talent acquisition in the mid 90's killed the team through 2000. Then a whole different kind of poor talent acquisition killed th team through 2004.

It's always unfair to single out one man only. In fairness, Norv was there in a difficult time for the organization. JK Cooke was in his last years then passed away & the uncertain ownership of the team led in part to Trent Green leaving.

I'm particularly hard on Norv due to:
1) He was a cowboy coach & he brought in cowpokes, none of which panned out. I always hated the idea of hiring a rival

2) He was part of Art Monk leaving town. After initially declining the skins offer, when Monk's agent came back & said that they would take it, norvelle told mgmt. that the wr spot was set as he'd signed Henry Ellard. Can't argue w/Ellard's production, but if you show a legend the door, you better win (see J. Jones hiring of Jimmy Johnson).

3) He wanted Westbrook in 95 when Sapp was available & the D was in need.

4) He chose G. Frerotte as starter over Shuler. I know Shuler's career snowballed to nothing, but sometimes players careers are derailed by coaching decisions, poor fit for the scheme, etc. I was never convinced that Frerotte really outplayed shuler in their preseason battle in 96. (I realize history is on norv's & Gus' side here)

5) Those were just some dark years. To his credit he beat the cowboys a bit, even sweeping them in their last super bowl year. But his teams seemed to have a knock for losing in creative ways.