Smoke Signals: The Mike Holmgren rumors get louder

[Spence]

The Mike Holmgren rumors and a lot more in today's edition of Smoke Signals. Read it now.

[franklinhimself]

I'll be pretty pissed off if we let the Cowboys get Holmgren. I think it makes too much sense for Holmgren to come to DC.

Yes, it would be a sticky situation to have Holmgren- wanting to coach, come in overtake the job of his protege in Zorn. If Holmgren comes to DC it's either a FO position, or a HC position in which he keeps Zorn probably as his OC/QB coach, then Zorn can really focus on the offense. I just don't know if Zorn and his ego would go through his old boss coming in and stealing his show. He seems intelligent enough though to realize he's not doing the best job if the Skins finish less than .500 this season.

[skinsfaninok]

I would rather have gruden or shanahan , but holmgren would be a great upgrade over zorny

[Dirtbag59]

At this point bring in anyone who knows that you can't win with decrepit old lineman. Right now we need a bigger center, a pulling guard, and a run blocking RT that can hold his own in the passing game. What we have on the right side right now is a smaller center, a mauler, and a good pass blocking RT that struggles in the running game.

We also need to start using Orakpo as a DE yesterday. Plus we need to look at how GW was using Landry during the second half of his rookie year and determine if Landry's fall from the face of the earth is related more to his fundamentals or the scheme.

At the very least Holmgren will draft OL. He drafted two O-lineman in the first round from 1998-2002 and during his tenure with the Seahawks the team drafted 3 OL in the first round.

Still I would love to get a GM and a guy like Holmgren running the team.

[roth74va]

Originally Posted by Dirtbag359

What we have on the right side right now is a smaller center, a mauler, and a good pass blocking RT that struggles in the running game.

Thats the funniest thing Ive read all week, you gotta be a Maryland fan. Heyer is a decent back-up at best, no way should he be starting. Look at the tape!!!

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by roth74va

Thats the funniest thing Ive read all week, you gotta be a Maryland fan. Heyer is a decent back-up at best, no way should he be starting. Look at the tape!!!

I agree that he shouldn't be considered starting caliber, but Jason Campbell has had time to throw this year. His problem continues to be creating lanes in the running game. Of course it sounds like you thought I was putting his pass blocking skills on par with that of Chris Samuals.

Thats not the case, I'm probably even more tired this point of the Heyer experiment then you are, which in part is why I wanted the team to sign Ray Willis during the offseason. Now Seattle only has the 15th best rushing attack in the league right now but they're lead running back is averaging almost 5 yards per carry right now (4.9) while their lead back has 10 carries for 56 yards. I'm pretty sure part of that is due to the fact that they can run the ball to either side.

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Well as of yesterday Gruden has said he's not interested. But a package Bruce Allen/Jon Gruden deal is intriguing. Though Gruden wears out his welcome with players rather easily, as I understand it.

I'm not sold on Shanahan as a GM. Not sold on Cowher as a GM. Don't know how I feel about Holmgren as a head coach (for the long term). None of the frequently mentioned candidates really appeal to me at this point.

All the more reason to hire a guy like DeCosta and let him lead a coaching search. If he sees one of the big names out there as a good fit then great. If a young up and comer suits this teams needs better then so be it.

I would prefer someone though that could motivate players and help get quality coordinators into gameplan. Plus the good thing is when you have a Mike Smith or a Jim Harbraugh as your head coach you can be a little more liberal with your coordinators where as in Jim Zorn's situation we're pretty much F'd because despite the debacle we have on offense he's still the most qualified person to call plays.

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Holmgren is probably a worse playcaller than Zorn is, at least based on his work with Seahawks teams. But this team doesn't need a genius playcaller, it needs a stronger leadership figure.

Why do you say that?

[SmootSmack]

I wouldn't discount Cleveland and Buffalo as options for Holmgren.

Regardless, are we really that much better off with Holmgren as GM and head coach? I'm not sure I see that.

If anything maybe just bring him back as a GM or Team President.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

I wouldn't discount Cleveland and Buffalo as options for Holmgren.

Regardless, are we really that much better off with Holmgren as GM and head coach? I'm not sure I see that.

If anything maybe just bring him back as a GM or Team President.

I agree, one or the other. He almost got himself fired in Seattle when he had the GM/HC dual roles.

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

I wouldn't discount Cleveland and Buffalo as options for Holmgren.

Regardless, are we really that much better off with Holmgren as GM and head coach? I'm not sure I see that.

If anything maybe just bring him back as a GM or Team President.

Actually in looking at a quick rundown of Holmgren's picks a lot of them weren't so bad. Thanks to Holmgren the team brought in Darrell Jackson, Matt Hasselbeck, Koren Robinson, Steve Hutchinson, Floyd Womack, Rocky Bernard, Ken Lucas, Heath Evans, Alex Bannister, and Ahman Green (though he was obviously traded). I'll be the first to admit his first two years sucked at picking players but his last two actually helped set the stage for a Super Bowl run.

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

I wouldn't discount Cleveland and Buffalo as options for Holmgren.

But but....Cleveland haz Mangenius.

[FRPLG]

Originally Posted by Dirtbag359

Actually in looking at a quick rundown of Holmgren's picks a lot of them weren't so bad. Thanks to Holmgren the team brought in Darrell Jackson, Matt Hasselbeck, Koren Robinson, Steve Hutchinson, Floyd Womack, Rocky Bernard, Ken Lucas, Heath Evans, Alex Bannister, and Ahman Green (though he was obviously traded). I'll be the first to admit his first two years sucked at picking players but his last two actually helped set the stage for a Super Bowl run.

It is so much more than drafting though. I'd argue our selection of talent hasn't been poor anyways. Perhaps our lack of focus on the lines is misguided but nothing about Holmgren says he focuses on the lines all that much either. He seems like a more lateral move to me.

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by FRPLG

It is so much more than drafting though. I'd argue our selection of talent hasn't been poor anyways. Perhaps our lack of focus on the lines is misguided but nothing about Holmgren says he focuses on the lines all that much either. He seems like a more lateral move to me.

I counted 8 OL and 7 DL drafted by the Seahawks from 1998-2002, the same years that Holmgren served as GM. Thats a little over 1 per year.

If we go back to the Redskins since 2004 we find 3 OL and 5 DL selected by the Redskins leading to an average of less then 1 per year, in fact it's hovering near .5 lineman drafted per year when you split up the different sides of the ball. I know no one is arguing that the Redskins draft a bunch of OL but I definately see Holmgren's track record as an improvement. Plus the crazy thing is while Holmgren was GM the Seahawks kept all their picks.

Keep in mind I still want a real GM to work with Holmgren but at the same time Holmgren serving as GM isn't the end of the world.

[FRPLG]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

I wouldn't discount Cleveland and Buffalo as options for Holmgren.

Regardless, are we really that much better off with Holmgren as GM and head coach? I'm not sure I see that.

If anything maybe just bring him back as a GM or Team President.

Well he basically lost GM privileges in Seattle right? That's not a good sign.

[SBXVII]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

I wouldn't discount Cleveland and Buffalo as options for Holmgren.

Regardless, are we really that much better off with Holmgren as GM and head coach? I'm not sure I see that.

If anything maybe just bring him back as a GM or Team President.

I don't know. I respect Holmgren. I know he did good things in GB, but ....I don't know. Holmgren reminds me of Andy Reid chasing his tail trying to win the big one. I know I keep preaching Marty Schottenheimer who kinda has done the same thing but putting him in a GM roll and having his son be HC who has proven his system can put up the yrds and TD's is what I would like to see. but who am I?

[TheSmurfs22]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

I wouldn't discount Cleveland and Buffalo as options for Holmgren.

Regardless, are we really that much better off with Holmgren as GM and head coach? I'm not sure I see that.

If anything maybe just bring him back as a GM or Team President.

~~~~
I agree. I think Holmgren would be more effective as a GM or Team President at this point. I also think he is someone Snyder would listen to and respect.

[skinsfan69]

So football isn't important in Green Bay??? They've got some of the most educated football fans in the NFL. They live sleep eat and breath football up there. But I think Holmgren is what this team needs. Now if we could get him as our coach and get rid of Vinny then we're on our way!