Yes! Bucs Will Interview Tom Clements
January 17th, 2012
For just about the past year, Joe has heard Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik say building the Bucs is “all about No. 5.”
If that is truly the case, the Bucs will hire the best offensive minds available to groom Josh Freeman,whether that is the best offensive coordinator available or the best quarterback coach.
So late last night Joe was geeked to learn the Bucs have received permission to interview Packers quarterback coach Tom Clements to replace jettisoned Bucs coach Raheem Morris.
@AdamSchefter: Buccaneers received permission to interview Packers QB coach Tom Clements for their head coaching vacancy later this week.
This is fantastic news. Aaron Rodgers largely credits Clements with developing him into the elite quarterback he is today. And look with what Clements has done for Matt Flynn, who has parlayed his skills into a monster payday next season as a starter somewhere in the NFL.
Clements’ greatest feat may have been how he turned XFL reject Tommy Maddox (!) into a playoff quarterback as the quarterbacks coach with the Steelers.
A hidden asset Clements has is he was a law professor at his alma mater, Notre Dame, before he began coaching football. (No, Joe doesn’t think that will affect Clements’ opinion of Aqib Talib)
Penn State’s loss should be the Bucs’ gain.
January 17th, 2012 at 8:41 am
Awesome news. Totally with you on this one joe.
This thing gets more interesting every day. Really shows how little the media knows about what they are up to at obp
January 17th, 2012 at 8:44 am
I’m glad Joe’s man-crush is getting a chance.
January 17th, 2012 at 8:47 am
QB coach to HC? Is that the equivalent to DB coach to HC? I really don’t know a whole lot about the guy. Is he a disciplinarian and a leader? It seems the next step for this guy should be OC then HC. Perfect coach for Marty to groom for a couple years.
January 17th, 2012 at 8:49 am
Curious question, Joe: We jsut jettisoned a position coach who was not ready to run the entire show. Why is it undeniably good that we are considering him as HC. Shouldn’t we be focused on a coordinator as HC (or Marty!) and bringing Clements in as OC?
It is unlikely that we will get GReen Bay’s OC as HC and their QB coach as OC. Clements would likely become GB’s OC in that case. So maybe it is Marty for HC, Clements for OC and we have our succession plan in place.
January 17th, 2012 at 8:54 am
Packers can deny Clements the chance to be an OC. Only a HC position opens the door.
January 17th, 2012 at 9:01 am
I would like to see him as OC.
But I don’t believe he would have the gravitas to be the HC under the current conditions at one Buc. In fact, it would be just as risky as it was to hire Raheem.
I think a steady hand is needed at this point in time at HC, not another “shot in the gray.”
January 17th, 2012 at 9:01 am
Seems like a intelligent move but the only thing is once again, the experience of righting a sinking ship with players that quit. I would say yes IF and only the Bucs turnover their roster and exile the quitters in order to establish a new culture. I question Clements disciplinary experience because this team needs that more so than the average, thanks to the homeboy Raheem for being their friend.
As far as freeman goes yes I like it because man oh man his mechanics stink and need serious addressing by someone who can dig in and press him into greatness. It’s going to be the job of Dumminik to get some weapons. He has managed to spare himself and disassociate from Raheem so let’s see if he’s telling the truth for a change. I tell you this. The longer they wait the lower the chances of having a great off season. The foundation and direction needs to be set and we will see.
January 17th, 2012 at 9:02 am
@jvato.. Then I don’t want him. I can’t think the Bucs would hire another position coach as the HC. At least I hope not. If this happens it will have the fans screaming cheap. Hire Marty and let him assemble his staff already.
January 17th, 2012 at 9:11 am
All they have to do is offer him Assistant HC and you have it covered for the progression to be right. Marty HC, Clements OC/AHC & fill in the blank for DC.
January 17th, 2012 at 9:19 am
I think after this weeks interviews they should have plenty of insight as to whom they want to re-interview or offer a job. This weeks candidates excites me. I hope they are as good as we think and get the job.
January 17th, 2012 at 9:19 am
@sgtmike.. That is what makes most sense to me. I just can’t imagine the Glazers hiring another position coach as the HC.
January 17th, 2012 at 9:19 am
I still want Spags or Del Rio as DC.
January 17th, 2012 at 9:27 am
With Senior Bowl coming up next week, does anyone see the FO interviewing any Head Coaches in Mobile? The better scenario in my mind is that they hire a HC this week and interview coordinators/position coaches next week during Senior Bowl week.
January 17th, 2012 at 9:27 am
@bucfan. I don’t have a problem with either of those choices. I’d interview Leavitt as well (if and when he’s available). I just hope who ever is hired as HC gets to assemble their own staff. I think it would be a huge mistake for the pop star and glazer boys to hire anyone past the HC.
January 17th, 2012 at 9:33 am
This guy is my number one choice if we dont go with Schottenheimer. Personally I really think marty is the guy to right this ship that raheem ran into the rocks like that italian cruise ship -basically a complete disaster-.and I would hold my breath for ANY first timer but I do love this guys credentials,
January 17th, 2012 at 9:46 am
I just read Clements background and coaching experience. It seems impressive. My only questions would be, why is he not already an OC? He’s held the position before and has been Green Bays QB coach for 6 seasons. Does he not want a higher position in the coaching ranks? Has he interviewed for the HC before?
January 17th, 2012 at 9:58 am
@Sgt Mike
I’m with you Marty HC, Clements AHC/OC, then we need a big time no nonsense DC, to whip that unit into shape, I’m sure we’ll see a different attitude from our LBs & DBs once a no nonsense DC is in place.
January 17th, 2012 at 10:07 am
Clements will never consider leaving for TB unless he has some say over personnel. That will never happen under current regime.
January 17th, 2012 at 10:35 am
Please not another position coach to HC. Other than the development of Rodgers (which might be more Rodgers than Clements) Clements has a very mediocre resume. I do not understand the appeal of this guy as HC at all.
Maybe as OC. Maybe.
January 17th, 2012 at 10:45 am
Love him as an OC…not feeling him for HC.
January 17th, 2012 at 10:55 am
I think this is the week we need to make a move, regardless. I don’t feel the Patriots, Ravens, Giants or 49ers have any coaches that warrant further delay for ‘still coaching’ candidates, as far as playoff teams go.
I think the Bucs need to interview everyone they intended to this week, early this week, and get the ball rolling.
Still disappointed we haven’t interview Billick. Maybe Zimmer with Billick as OC and Spags\Del Rio as DC.
January 17th, 2012 at 11:08 am
Great, just what we need, another position coach with no head coaching experience whatsoever to lead the ship.
Outstanding.
January 17th, 2012 at 11:22 am
Some of these comments are BEYOND stupid! For all of you not feeling him as a Head Coach, please explain why? And don’t just say b/c he is a position coach. Or the ones saying you can see him as the OC, why? You know NOTHING about the man. PLEASE EXPLAIN YOURSELFS….
January 17th, 2012 at 11:24 am
Brad, how long did it take Dungy to get a job? YEARS!!!!!!!
January 17th, 2012 at 11:26 am
@chargedcbh
Yeah, we feel the need to explain ourselves to you. And after the debacle of bringing in a posiiton coach last time, it wouldn’t seem obvious to be skeptical.
Nice douchebag post, genius.
January 17th, 2012 at 11:27 am
@chargedcbh
And maybe you could establish more cred on this site by using ‘splain instead of explain.
BTW, Dungy was an OC for Vikings.
I suggest letting your Dad have the keyboard back.
January 17th, 2012 at 11:32 am
@charged. See brown bag and I agree.. But for reasons to keep you entertained. I am wondering why this guy was an OC and is not one now? A coach that has gone backwards in the coaching ranks is a concern. He has had the same position for 6-7 years. Why has he not been promoted since?
Instead of us proving to you why he should not be our next HC, why don’t you prove why he should be…
January 17th, 2012 at 11:32 am
Is he a no-nonsense discipline guy ready to be HC?
Don’t know.
Maybe they get him for OC at the very least.
January 17th, 2012 at 11:42 am
OC & Asst. HC – yes. HC, no
Never been a play-caller
Never lead an entire unit
No reputation as a disciplinarian
With Marty as HC and Clements as HC in waiting, OK
Like him, but not worth the risk
January 17th, 2012 at 11:43 am
Brown:
Dungy was a DC, not OC
He waited because he was not a firey leader type (and is black)
January 17th, 2012 at 11:43 am
Well chargedcbh since you used my words “not feeling” I will give you my reasons for not as a head coach.
1. No head coaching experience, and right now with a disorganized team where the inmates are running the asylum I would prefer someone with at least successful coordinator experience to provide the regimented environment required for a turn around…and no I am not counting his time as an OC under Mularky as OC experience since by all accounts he was a glorified QB coach there as well.
2. While he has been successful with QB’s, there is a big difference between coaching 2-3 guys and 52.
3. I think Aaron Rogers and the receiving talent can make alot of coaches look good, however I agree with Joe on his Tommy Maddox theory.
4. I would prefer Marty or Zimmer.
5. Because I don’t like you.
January 17th, 2012 at 11:48 am
how exactly is he going to have time to develop Josh Freeman along with his head coaching duties? If we hired him as our quarterbacks coach THEN I would be excited. Us hiring another position coach to be our head coach… not exciting and hopefully not likely.
January 17th, 2012 at 11:50 am
Hey Joe, any thoughts on kevin Gilbride, OC for the Giants. He seems to keep the Giants rolling along.
January 17th, 2012 at 12:01 pm
This comment is related to me supporting a Tom Clements hire, so I’ll respond to it here.
First off…EDUCATE YOURSELF before you insult others.
(Aside: @Brad…thank you for reading up on Clements)
First off…Hillbilly Heaven…
Why don’t you pull up that little IE tab or Fire Fox browser tab and search for the teams that have interviewed Marty for a head coaching position in the NFL in the past few weeks.
What did you find? ONLY THE BUCS. Why?
For two reasons…1) Marty’s age…2) Marty left the NFL for a reason…he coached a minor league team for a reason.
Simply put…because of those two reasons…teams are hesitant to give him a shot at head coach. It’s no different than a guy like Monte Kiffin leaving to coach college and then deciding to come back. The best he could hope for is a coordinator position.
Second Point
There is no chance in hades that Tom Clements will become the Offensive Coordinator here. None. Zero. Zip.
In your limited intellectual prowess, I know it’s hard to fathom, but he would be a fool to leave Green Bay. Joe Philbin is on the cusp of becoming a Head Coach somewhere.
When this happens, who do you think Green Bay will make OC? TOM CLEMENTS. So consider this…
…if Joe Philbin becomes HC somewhere (like Miami for example) this year, and Clements becomes an OC in Green Bay this year, who do you think will be looking at Head Coaching offers NEXT YEAR???
TOM CLEMENTS.
Third Point
This is where education helps…Teams cannot block assistant coaches from interviewing for head coaching jobs. The can block assistant coaches from interviewing for coordinator jobs.
What that means is that Green Bay can stop Clements from coming here as Offensive Coordinator.
Piece of advice…know what you are talking about before you insult people.
Forth Point
Get ready for this…it’s a big one…
…because teams cannot stop assistant coaches from interviewing for head coaching positions…even if we could somehow get Green Bay to let us have Clements as Offensive Coordinator…next year ANY TEAM CAN STEAL HIM AWAY FROM US!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That’s right…we could only have Clements for ONE YEAR.
Fifth Point
See what I’m doing? As a service to you, I’m illustrating how to think things through to proper conclusions. What you call “idiot posts” are actually thought out ones…you have just been incapable of reaching the same level of intellectual capacity.
So…
…people are suggesting this scenario: Marty as HC for 3 years, Clements as OC and heir to Marty.
…BUT…we would not be able to hold onto Clements for 3 years because of my point above (Point 4).
So WHAT IS THE SOLUTION?
Remember my first point above? No one else is interviewing Marty.
Think about that. He wants back in the NFL. But no one is offering him a head coaching position. So what position will he have to settle for?
Offensive Coordinator.
Are those little electrodes connecting yet? No? I’ll explain further.
Marty has met with Mark Dominick and the Glazers. Directly after his interview, he made the statement that he would love to teach our young players and help them become all they can be.
Since then? No one has requested an interview with him. So (yesterday?) he releases another statement, saying how much he would appreciate the opportunity to teach and work with our young players.
He knows this is his last shot. And he will agree to an Asst. Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator position.
Sixth Point
Still not grasping it?
Okay…sheesh…and you think I’m stupid…
The only way to get Clements here to stay is as Head Coach. Not as Offensive Coordinator (for the reasons I described above; go back and read it if you have to).
So the solution is to make Tom Clements the head coach. But wait! He has never been head coach before, right? So that means he MIGHT need proper mentoring at first. (sort of the same theory you guys have suggested, but with positions reversed). The thing that hurt Raheem is the lack of proper veteran coordinators to help him grow as a coach.
That’s why Morris reached a point where he could not grow anymore…he had no one to guide him into the next level of coaching.
With Marty as Asst. HC/OC, Clements would have that. He would see Marty in action and learn from him. Meanwhile, Marty can have an assistant of his own to prepare to take his place when he retires.
Seventh Point
Never settle for less than a Superbowl.
Just winning games is not enough. That’s the kind of thinking that led to 22 losing seasons for the Bucs. The team was so focused on trying to get an occasional win that they never even set their eyes on the big prize…until Dungy came along and made them look higher.
To say that you just want some wins…that means you are falling into the very same trap that the Bucs fell into during those 22 losing seasons.
Eighth Point
Stability.
If Marty becomes head coach here, and retires in 2-3 years, it just creates an element of chaos for the team (see our last coaches tenure).
If Clements is Head Coach, and Marty is Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator, that blow is lessened. We maintain the same Head Coach through that ordeal…keeping things status quo.
So there you have it. The only questions now are over qualifications. Because you are so against Clements as Head Coach, it’s obvious you have not read up on him. You’ve decided to limit your thinking (and education). So…
Ninth Point
I’ll lay it out for you.
1) Unlike Thomas 2.2, Tom Clements really did practice law…for 5 years. If you’ve ever known a real “lawyer”, they are very organized and no nonsense rule followers.
2) PRIOR to Green Bay, Clements had 10 years of coaching Quarterbacks under such Bill Cowher, Mike Ditka and Lou Holtz. Any of those names ring a bell? Oh wait…you even want one of them as head coach!
3) Offensive Coordinator Experience!!!!
Before coming to Green Bay, Clements spent two seasons (2004-05) as offensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills. In 2004, the Bills’ offense increased its scoring output by 152 and reduced its number of sacks allowed from 51 to 38, fewest by a Bills team since 1999.
The unit was highlighted by RB Willis McGahee, who became the fifth running back in Bills history to register back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, covering each year of Clements’ tenure. In addition, QB Kelly Holcomb set a club record in 2005 with a 67.39 completion percentage, surpassing Jim Kelly’s 1991 mark, 64.14 percent.
4) In 2002, he helped Tommy Maddox earn the Comeback Player of the Year award…Tommy “freaking” Maddox.
5) Clements also worked with Pittsburgh’s Kordell Stewart (2001) and Kansas City’s Elvis Grbac (2000) during each quarterback’s best season, both culminating in Pro Bowl berths.
6) He has played the Quarterback Position.
Inducted into the Canadian Football League’s Hall of Fame in 1994, Clements played quarterback for Ottawa (1975-78), Saskatchewan/Hamilton (1979), Hamilton (1981-82) and Winnipeg (1983-87) during a 12-year career in the CFL.
Selected seven times as a divisional All-Star, Clements guided two teams, Ottawa (1976) and Winnipeg (1984), to Grey Cup Championships, earning the Outstanding Offensive Player award in each game. The league’s Rookie of the Year in 1975 and Most Valuable Player in 1987, Clements completed 2,807 of 4,657 passes (60.3 percent) for 39,041 yards and 252 touchdowns during his CFL career.
He is in their HALL OF FAME.
So…how can anyone NOT think Tom Clements is qualified???
WHAT’s NEXT?
Head Coach: Tom Clements
Assistant Head Coach & Offensive Coordinator: Marty Schottenheimer
But who could be Defensive Coordinator? Before moving on from the Packers, there is one guy I think we should try to bring over with Clements:
The Packers MIGHT let him take someone in a low position. Someone like KEVIN GREENE.
Our weakest spot is out Linebackers. Kevin Greene is the outside Linebackers Coach for the Packers.
1) Clay Matthews
Under Greene, Matthews has made to Pro Bowl in each of his first 2 seasons in the NFL. Under Greene, Matthews had 10 sacks in 2009. In 2010, he had 13 SACKS.
Matthews sacks dropped to 6 in 2011…but…he added 3 forced fumbles and 3 Interceptions…so he added 6 turnovers.
2) Aaron Kampman made the transition from DE to LOLB under Greene. If we switch to 3-4, that kind of ability will be needed.
On to Defensive Coordinator…
Candidate: Steve Spagnuolo
Steve Spagnuolo would be a good fit for the Falcons and he would likely create a lot of excitement.
Spagnuolo also carries a heavy defensive past and has worked in a3-4 and 4-4 scheme in the past. He ran a 4-3 as head coach in St. Louis and as the defensive coordinator for the New York Giants. The guy can work within a 4-3 and start transitioning us to a 3-4 if that is the desire.
So:
Head Coach: Tom Clements
Assistant Head Coach & Offensive Coordinator: Marty Schottenheimer
Defensive Coordinator: Steve Spagnuolo
MAYBE:
Linebackers Coach: Kevin Green
Call me an idiot if you like…it’s your choice if you want to look like one yourself. But the above is sound thinking and an awesome lineup of coaches. It’s also a plan that would set up the Bucs for 5-10 years of success.
January 17th, 2012 at 12:03 pm
Brown Bag Is Getting Optimistic Again Says:
So b/c it happened once it going to happen again? OK
And who do you want for coach?
January 17th, 2012 at 12:03 pm
There’s that lack of intelligence. He has been an Offensive Coordinator.
LEARN A LITTLE BEFORE YOU POST.
January 17th, 2012 at 12:06 pm
Brad,
I’m not saying he should or shouldn’t be, I was curious why some of these post were so dead against him. I am not interviewing these men, so I couldn’t tell you either way. It seems people are even against him getting an interview… I find that weird…….
January 17th, 2012 at 12:08 pm
Brown Bag Is Getting Optimistic Again Says:
January 17th, 2012 at 11:27 am
@chargedcbh
And maybe you could establish more cred on this site by using ‘splain instead of explain.
BTW, Dungy was an OC for Vikings.
What’s wrong with this genius?
Sometimes in life it’s best to be silent and thought a fool, than to speak and erase all doubt..
January 17th, 2012 at 12:12 pm
A Real Bucs Fan, you really love to hear yourself talk that much?
January 17th, 2012 at 12:13 pm
BTW…Clements was fired as OC of the Bills back after 2005 because the new GM decided he wanted a complete flip of the staff.
Consider that.
Do you really think all of the staff let go of the Bucs this year sucked?
Seems to me the RBs coach was doing okay, except Olson kept limiting the running game.
The Tight Ends coach was acceptable as well. Special Teams?
Good coaches can be fired during regime flips.
That’s what happened with Clements. And, because he was fired, he had to take a demotion to get work again. It happens. Never mind that he did his job well while offensive coordinator.
It was after the 2005 season…at the start of 2006. Only 6 years ago.
January 17th, 2012 at 12:17 pm
I’m a writer by trade…so yes.
But the reason for the above was because of the ignorance in this thread…for example…people saying Clements has never called the plays or been an Offensive Coordinator.
For the people claiming he has never led a group. (news flash, people, he led championship teams as quarterback).
January 17th, 2012 at 12:20 pm
Consider that Clements was completely underwhelming when he was an OC. Consider that the only impressive part of his resume is Rodgers. Consider that Rodgers might just be really good all on his own. Consider that even if Clements was responsible for Rodgers skills that in no way proves he could handle being a complete OC and installing an offense. Consider that that is even one more step away from considering him as HC.
Sorry, I’ll be completely dejected if we hire this guy for HC.
January 17th, 2012 at 12:24 pm
Consider doing more research, Meh, instead of making blanket statements.
As OC:
In 2004, the Bills’ offense increased its scoring output by 152 and reduced its number of sacks allowed from 51 to 38, fewest by a Bills team since 1999.
The unit was highlighted by RB Willis McGahee, who became the fifth running back in Bills history to register back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, covering each year of Clements’ tenure. In addition, QB Kelly Holcomb set a club record in 2005 with a 67.39 completion percentage, surpassing Jim Kelly’s 1991 mark, 64.14 percent.
January 17th, 2012 at 12:26 pm
Oh, and also consider that every QB who has worked with him has improved their game dramatically during that time. Rodgers is NOT the only one.
January 17th, 2012 at 12:32 pm
Tampa should hire him, he’s Catholic !!!!!!!!!
January 17th, 2012 at 12:37 pm
A REAL Bucs Fan Says
Thank you for your post!
January 17th, 2012 at 12:39 pm
And what was their ranking in points scored while he was OC? They were 7th his first year and fell to 24th his second year. Then he got canned. Real impressive job he did there.
January 17th, 2012 at 12:41 pm
I’m sure if you look deep enough, you can fault with every coach….
January 17th, 2012 at 12:47 pm
He’s only got 2 years coordinating experience, and in those 2 years his offense dropped 17 spots in points scored. That’s hardly ‘finding fault with every coach’. There are much, much better choices out there.
January 17th, 2012 at 1:06 pm
@Meh
Except under the scenario above, Marty would be OC.
btw:
Former Minnesota head coach Brad Childress said he has yet to hear back from the Bucs after interviewing for their job. Childress said the team told him the search would take some time. He also said he wouldn’t be opposed to coming to Tampa Bay as an offensive coordinator, if another candidate is hired.
January 17th, 2012 at 1:10 pm
Clements as HC and Marty as OC sounds absolutely terrible to me.
January 17th, 2012 at 1:23 pm
OMG…you would still get Marty and it’s not good enough. This just shows that you will NEVER be pleased, Thoma–Meh.
January 17th, 2012 at 1:34 pm
You’re kidding right? Clements is one of the only coaching candidates I’ve been down on. Schottenheimer would NEVER come here for just an OC position. It is ridiculous.
And you compare me to Thomas and just toss out insults? Good lord.
January 17th, 2012 at 1:42 pm
@ ARealBucsFan
You make a very compelling argument for Clements, however a few points I must counter to your well thought out diatribe.
First, there’s a better chance the Packer’s would let Clements go to be OC somewhere than Marty would take a coaching position on a team other than Head Coach. The man has 200 career wins, which would currently place him 6th on the all time list. Why should he consider anything other than a HC position?
Secondly, and this is a strike against any potential candidate who’s never been an HC before, one of the most important aspects for the upcoming HC will be assembling the coaching staff. Marty has shown time and again that he can get a staff to together that will be able to get the most out of his players (in 21 seasons, only 2 with a losing record points to that). Clements hasn’t done this at all. Granted he may be a great assembler of coaching talent, but there’s no track record of it, so it could just as easily go the other way. Marty has consistently brought in and developed quality assistant coaches.
Which brings me to my next point. With the exception of Washington, which he was there only one season and didn’t have much of an opportunity to build anything, he’s never left a team in a worse situation then when he came in. So yes, while Marty would only be here for 3 or 4 years, the Bucs would be in much better shape than it is in today, and with a little bit of luck, the replacement would already be on staff, to continue building and winning.
Finally, when Marty last stopped coaching in the NFL, it wasn’t because he quit, he was let go by a team that felt they couldn’t get any further than he was taking them (likely a fair assessment), and replaced by his OC. Since that time, taking the “hot assistant” has become en vogue in the NFL (John Harbaugh, Mike Smith, Mike Tomlin, Spagnulo, Sporano, Morris, Caldwell, Haley, McDaniels), as teams felt “retread” coaches were no longer the way to go (other than Phillips in Dallas (who is the stereotypical retread) and not counting interim coaches). Don’t get me wrong, a retread coach is not always the right answer, but it’s not always the wrong answer either (Belichik, Fox, Coughlin, 3 of the 4 coaches still in the playoffs were head coaches that were previously fired).
In my opinion, Marty is exactly what this team needs right now, a coach that will come in, immediately earn the respect of the players, build a solid coaching staff, and get this team to play its best, with minimal mental errors every Sunday. He may not get us to the promised land (then again, he just might, Dan Reeves got to a Super Bowl late in his career), but he will “right the ship”.
January 17th, 2012 at 1:45 pm
I understand the arguments about the position coach, but i think the work he has done with a wide range of QB’s has been outstanding, hes smart, and given the position we are in with Five, a great hire IMO.
Cant let the Rah disaster eliminate a good candidate. This guy is not Raheem Morris by any means.
January 17th, 2012 at 1:45 pm
@ REAL
i know sometimes my posts are a little bit long winded….but u really need to find a few points, stick to them, and stop writing the unabridged version of “War and Peace” every single time u post. nobody has the patience to read all of it.
second….stop saying Steve Spagnuolo has “experience running the 4-4 and 3-4”. nobody runs the 4-4. mayyyyybe some teams have a package where its used a couple of times a season. but nobody runs it as a base defense. and he has NEVER run the 3-4 as a base defense in the NFL. he learned the 4-3 under Jim Johnson in Philly, continued it there, and used that with the Giants and Rams.
January 17th, 2012 at 1:51 pm
and can everyone stop talking about “developing Brett Favre” when discussing Joe Philbin and/or Tom Clements. Favre was already WELL established long before Philbin and Clements came to Green Bay.
everyone wants to try to use that as part of their track record. yes, they have done a great job developing Rodgers and to a certain extent, Matt Flynn. just because it is the same organization, it does not mean the current regime had ANYTHING to do with Favre’s development to elite status. the entire structure of the organization was different when he was around….from the front office, all the way down to the entire coaching staff. it would be like saying “Tampa should be able to develop Mason Foster into a Hall of Famer because of Derrick Brooks’ career.” or Cody Grimm should be the next John Lynch. the only things they have in common are the position they play, and the jersey they wear.
apples and oranges.
January 17th, 2012 at 2:02 pm
Oops, my bad, only 2 of the 4 coaches with teams still in the playoffs were retreads, Fox was eliminated by Belichick. However, Fox did a very good job as a retread with a team not too many people expected to do anything this year.
January 17th, 2012 at 7:22 pm
I would personally rather hire Mike Zimmer as our HC and sign Clements as our OC. IF we got a good DC, we would have one of the top coaching staffs in the league. I personally think Clements will be better right now as a coordinator. We just saw what happens when you hire a position coach to your HC. Zimmer HC/Clements OC/Spagnola DC. I would put that against any staff in the league. But Clements greatly benefits #5. He can do that even better as our OC over HC because he can focus directly with #5 whereas, if he was HC he has the whole team to worry about. And Zimmer is a no nonsense kind of guy but will also be your best friend off the field. Perfect guy for our young immature team!!