Zorn "probably the worst NFL hire of all time"??

[QBall]

Originally Posted by mheisig

Meh. Another blogger trying to make a name for himself by saying something outrageous.

NICE!

[MTK]

I'm just not convinced that the coaching search process would have been widely applauded no matter what happened.

Let's face it, it boils down to they didn't do what we wanted. We wanted GW, and as a result we were going to be upset with just about anything. The fans collectively stomped their feet and pouted when GW wasn't automatically handed the job and everything quickly went downhill from there. GW was never officially anointed as the successor to Gibbs except in the eyes of the fans and some false rumor that he had a contract stipulation.

The continuity thing is so overrated. Yes Snyder spoke of continuity but at the same time look at the staff. Several key coaches are back. What exactly does continuity mean anyway? Does it mean zero turnover? Because that was unlikely to happen no matter who got the job. If GW got the job and let some guys go and brought in some of his guys I doubt we would be hearing about the continuity excuse.

[talk show host]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

I'm just not convinced that the coaching search process would have been widely applauded no matter what happened.

Let's face it, it boils down to they didn't do what we wanted. We wanted GW, and as a result we were going to be upset with just about anything. The fans collectively stomped their feet and pouted when GW wasn't automatically handed the job and everything quickly went downhill from there. GW was never officially anointed as the successor to Gibbs except in the eyes of the fans and some false rumor that he had a contract stipulation.

The continuity thing is so overrated. Yes Snyder spoke of continuity but at the same time look at the staff. Several key coaches are back. What exactly does continuity mean anyway? Does it mean zero turnover? Because that was unlikely to happen no matter who got the job. If GW got the job and let some guys go and brought in some of his guys I doubt we would be hearing about the continuity excuse.

EXCELLENT Post. you summed up my feelings exactly. Redskins Fans are particularly fickle, and I think even if we promoted Williams, a lot of fans would be griping that Snyder DIDN'T go after Cowher or some other big name. As much as my heart wanted GW, now that i've had time to process everything, i think NOT getting GW was a good decision. But I can't say any of the other candidates out there would have made me comfortable with our coaching situation.

Truth be told, Gibbs couldn't have left at a worse time. There were really NO good solid HC candidates out there. Now next year will be another matter entirely. If Gibbs had just stayed one more year, we would have had a much better pool of candidates to select from.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by talk show host

EXCELLENT Post. you summed up my feelings exactly. Redskins Fans are particularly fickle, and I think even if we promoted Williams, a lot of fans would be griping that Snyder DIDN'T go after Cowher or some other big name. As much as my heart wanted GW, now that i've had time to process everything, i think NOT getting GW was a good decision. But I can't say any of the other candidates out there would have made me comfortable with our coaching situation.

Truth be told, Gibbs couldn't have left at a worse time. There were really NO good solid HC candidates out there. Now next year will be another matter entirely. If Gibbs had just stayed one more year, we would have had a much better pool of candidates to select from.

Not only that but I think with the sudden way he left he really put Snyder in a bind. A few weeks earlier it was reported that Snyder was going to offer Gibbs an extension, and I think a lot of us expected him to sign it. At the very least it was expected that he would finish out his 5 year term. His retirement caught everyone off guard and left Snyder scrambling to put together a plan. I'm not trying to blame Gibbs, I think it was a bit of a sudden decision for himself and he probably didn't want to leave Snyder in a difficult situation, but it is what it is.

[Longtimefan]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

I'm just not convinced that the coaching search process would have been widely applauded no matter what happened.

Let's face it, it boils down to they didn't do what we wanted. We wanted GW, and as a result we were going to be upset with just about anything. The fans collectively stomped their feet and pouted when GW wasn't automatically handed the job and everything quickly went downhill from there. GW was never officially anointed as the successor to Gibbs except in the eyes of the fans and some false rumor that he had a contract stipulation.

The continuity thing is so overrated. Yes Snyder spoke of continuity but at the same time look at the staff. Several key coaches are back. What exactly does continuity mean anyway? Does it mean zero turnover? Because that was unlikely to happen no matter who got the job. If GW got the job and let some guys go and brought in some of his guys I doubt we would be hearing about the continuity excuse.

The first sentence of your post says it all.

The process had so many different forces at work simultaneously, and the length of it foiled the patience of interested fans everywhere.

Many were dissapointed when GW didn't get the promotion, and to me that was the greatest source of dissatisfaction, coupled with the possibility Jim Fassel may actually be named Gibbs successor.

There is one element regarding the hiring process I have a problem wraping my arms around, and that's having to do with the [Rooney Rule]. I respect the integrity of the rules' intention and purpose, but it just dosen't seem to have enough teeth to insure it's implementation in an identifyable and unbiased fashion that's easily distinguished. It still remains difficult to be able to determine if during the course of interviews, it's actually a fair and equitable process.

[MTK]

It's also worth noting that Tucker said this:

That said, even though Snyder has made his fair share of poor decisions, I've always respected him for the simple fact that he is willing to do whatever it takes to attempt to bring a championship to Washington. Though Snyder's attempts are at times misguided, the effort is appreciated by those within the locker room.

When you hear first-hand accounts as a player about how some other owners and organizations around the league run their respective franchises with both eyes on the financial bottom line, it becomes clear why Snyder is endearing to many members of the team. Players, after all, always respect great effort. Snyder has never faltered in that area; his marathon interview sessions are the latest example of that.

[SC Skins Fan]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

It's also worth noting that Tucker said this:
Quote:
That said, even though Snyder has made his fair share of poor decisions, I've always respected him for the simple fact that he is willing to do whatever it takes to attempt to bring a championship to Washington. Though Snyder's attempts are at times misguided, the effort is appreciated by those within the locker room.

When you hear first-hand accounts as a player about how some other owners and organizations around the league run their respective franchises with both eyes on the financial bottom line, it becomes clear why Snyder is endearing to many members of the team. Players, after all, always respect great effort. Snyder has never faltered in that area; his marathon interview sessions are the latest example of that.

And this: (a concern shared by some fans, I think).

Quote:
Redskins' players often wonder whether Snyder's allegiance to Cerrato has more to do with their professional or their personal relationship. It is no secret that the two are racquetball partners and close friends, in addition to being colleagues in the Redskins front office.


Tucker was totally non-committal in that piece. The FO structure is what it is at this point, we'll see how it goes (or if it shifts over time, with Scott Campbell moving more into full control of player personel), but the I think the bottom line to a lot of the concern is the power that Cerrato is wielding at the Park. Maybe he'll prove everyone wrong with his deft handling of things, but concerns about Cerrato lay at the bottom of a lot of the angst felt by those with concerns I'd say.

[FRPLG]

I don't get the love for Cowher. Count me as firmly in the "he's overrated bigtime" group. I haven't one clue why everyone thinks he a savior. He was never a personell guy in Pittsburg and definitely has a Marty Schottenheimer feel to him. You that feeling that he really is only like 10-6 type coach who has trouble winning the big ones. He did get a SB but 1 in 12 years really isn't all that great. Don't get me wrong I don't think he is a bad coach but I am not convinced he is as great as many would like to believe.

[celts32]

Originally Posted by FRPLG

I don't get the love for Cowher. Count me as firmly in the "he's overrated bigtime" group. I haven't one clue why everyone thinks he a savior. He was never a personell guy in Pittsburg and definitely has a Marty Schottenheimer feel to him. You that feeling that he really is only like 10-6 type coach who has trouble winning the big ones. He did get a SB but 1 in 12 years really isn't all that great. Don't get me wrong I don't think he is a bad coach but I am not convinced he is as great as many would like to believe.

Amen! Cowher is so overrated...he was somehow cleansed by that improbable super bowl run a couple years ago. He had so many high seeds go belly up at home in the playoffs. He is a total Shotenheimer except for that one playoff run. Good coach but nothing special. You listen to the media talk and its like Canton is preparing his bust...

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by celts32

Amen! Cowher is so overrated...he was somehow cleansed by that improbable super bowl run a couple years ago. He had so many high seeds go belly up at home in the playoffs. He is a total Shotenheimer except for that one playoff run. Good coach but nothing special. You listen to the media talk and its like Canton is preparing his bust...

You could not be more wrong.
Cowher, 149-90-1 (.623%). Playoffs, 12-9, .571%
Schott, 200-126-1 (.613%). Playoffs, 5-13, .278%

While the regular season records are similar (Cowher has him by 10%), to compare him to Schottenheimer in the playoffs is beyond comprehension. It's not even close...and even if you take away the "improbable super bowl run" he's still 8-9 which is a TON better than Schottenheimer. Of course, you can't really take that run away, it wasn't a fluke, it was a matter of time.
Schottenheimer has had 0 super bowl appearances, 0 AFC/NFC championships. Cowher has been to 2 super bowls / 2 AFC/NFC championships. Also, Cowher has 9 Division Championships, Schott only 8 despite coaching in 6 MORE seasons.

ps- they ARE preparing his bust in Canton!

[celts32]

Originally Posted by jsarno

You could not be more wrong.
Cowher, 149-90-1 (.623%). Playoffs, 12-9, .571%
Schott, 200-126-1 (.613%). Playoffs, 5-13, .278%

While the regular season records are similar (Cowher has him by 10%), to compare him to Schottenheimer in the playoffs is beyond comprehension. It's not even close...and even if you take away the "improbable super bowl run" he's still 8-9 which is a TON better than Schottenheimer. Of course, you can't really take that run away, it wasn't a fluke, it was a matter of time.
Schottenheimer has had 0 super bowl appearances, 0 AFC/NFC championships. Cowher has been to 2 super bowls / 2 AFC/NFC championships. Also, Cowher has 9 Division Championships, Schott only 8 despite coaching in 6 MORE seasons.

ps- they ARE preparing his bust in Canton!

I will give you better then Shotenheimer but he's still overrated IMO.

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by celts32

I will give you better then Shotenheimer but he's still overrated IMO.

Well, I am not going to disagree with you on that. Overrated means rated better than he is or was, and some here hold him on a pedistal of god like status. A football god he is not. He is however a VERY good coach, and a soon to be hall of fame coach. Just because he is Bill Cowher does not mean he will win you a super bowl, or take you to the playoffs every year. So I understand and agree with your assessment of overrated. (just not the Schottenheimer comparison)

[FRPLG]

I think we have playoff potential. If we play well and miss the playoffs I'd be ok. I am more worried about us simply playing poorly. Given good health and solid gameplans I think we are a playoff team. Anything less than solid play wouldn't be success to me.

[djnemo65]

Originally Posted by FRPLG

I think we have playoff potential. If we play well and miss the playoffs I'd be ok. I am more worried about us simply playing poorly. Given good health and solid gameplans I think we are a playoff team. Anything less than solid play wouldn't be success to me.

How many playoff games did they lose at home over the years? Wasn't it like 3 or 4 in the championship game alone?

[Dirtbag59]

Hey guys you guys, holy shit you guys, you gotta see my ninja armor. But seriously get this, I found a poll on ESPN.com that ask:
"Which first time head coach will have the most success with his team?"

The answers were as follows:
John Harbaugh - 24%
Mike Smith - 4%
Tony Sparano - 24%

and finally
Jim Zorn - 47%

Ironic, half the league is laughing at us but 6,038 people think that Jim Zorn is going to be the best rookie head coach.