Mind Character

As much as New England are upheld as the greatest organization of all time, scouts know well that their 1st and 2nd round draft selections are often filled with really bad evaluations and produce nothing. It's one thing to be excited about Josh McDaniels and another thing to be excited about bringing along their front office talents with some belief that they are going to do wonders in the draft room. New England is all about free agents and UDFA player development and Belichick's influence.

In a coaching search where "Exceptional Leadership" is the publicly desired trait and insiders report "the Haslam's are looking for someone who can stand in the locker room and command immediate respect and buy-in from players," it's odd that Kevin Stefanski and Josh McDaniels are thought to be likely be the two finalists over Mike McCarthy. When it's all said and done I can't help but think that there will be another name that comes onto the radar that is more of a "command immediate respect" type of Head Coach. It's a shame because Ron Rivera really would've fit the stated coaching search goals although maybe what's stated isn't what the Haslams really prioritize. Nothing distinguishes our coaching candidate list from old hat NFL HC candidate lists of over the past decade. To assemble a list first write down all the playoff teams. Then, pick an OC or DC on that team depending on the hotness of their name and/or coordinated side of the ball. I'm still holding out hope that we open up the search late to established program leaders in the college game as a way to expand the search to find the unique skill of Program Leadership/Building. I doubt it though.

if it ends up being Stefanski-Berry, I think a prediction that will easily come true is that they will have a hard time recruiting and filling out the assistants staff with high quality coaches because of the perceived instability of the organization. The Coaching Staffs will be some of the most interesting things to watch for when McDaniels and McCarthy and Stefanski get jobs.

Zack Baun, OLB Wisconsin is a strong "my guy" candidate to go in the 3rd but be our starting WLB for years to come. Sione Takitaki SLB // Joe Schobert MLB // Zack Baun WLB. Before the draft I thought Takitaki was the superior outside LB compared to Wilson and I still do. Wilson can still be a valuable contributor with improvements but his angles and run support got worse as the year went on.

There's belief with some people in the front office community around the league that Andrew Berry won't leave Philadelphia and the Eagles will be promoting him from Vice President of Football Operations to a newly formed Executive of Football Operations and Strategy position that will supersede current VP of FO & Strategy Alec Halabi. This would likely mean that Kevin Stefanski would instead be paired with George Paton (current longtime Vikings assistant GM under Rick Spielman). He's a very respected personnel decision-maker and evaluator around the league, but he's not thought to be heavily invested in analytics depth approaches. It seems to me that a major component of making our future front office-head coach structure work in alignment with the Analytics/Strategy departments that the Haslam's are going to have to give Andrew Berry a 5-year contract or something with serious security and investment in order to give him reasons to leave the Eagles. I wonder if the Haslam's would be willing to make such a commitment as well as if they should do so...

Panthers are interviewing Kevin Stefanski next week... we might have some serious competition. Panthers have already satisfied the Rooney Rule requirement that teams don't really respect all that much; therefore, if the Panthers so choose they could hire Stefanski once he's in the building if they like.

Here's the Confirmed interviews: Confirmed Interviews (https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2020-nfl-head-coach-interview-hire-tracker-news-rumors/) Ravens DC Greg Roman on January 2 (Rapoport) Mike McCarthy on January 2 (Rapoport) 49ers DC Robert Saleh on January 4 (Rapoport) Bills OC Brian Daboll on January 5 (Cleveland.com) Patriots OC Josh McDaniels on January 10 (Rapoport) Kansas City OC Eric Bieniemy on January 3rd (Cleveland.com) Kevin Stefanski is assumed to be an interview some time in the future. --------------------- This is really turning out to be the comprehensive coaching search that wasn't. 6 hot name coordinators and 1 coach with past successful head coach experience. Turning to 7 candidates to solve our culture issues. No Special Teams Coordinators or Successful College Culture Leader Coaches.

I think the core reasons for the Stefanski love are really based on the following: 1.) He appears to be the candidate that gives the organization the best chance at alignment and the necessary collaboration between the Strategy/Analytics department and Football Operations such that Jimmy Haslam may not feel the need to re-structure or make sweeping changes within the organization. 2.) By most accounts, Stefanski is not the political animal or person to susceptible power trips and has the mentality to thoughtfully disagree and work collaboratively with others. 3.) By most accounts Stefanski is not a volatile personality prone to emotional blow-ups or non-productive yelling and screaming in moments of high stress instead he has an even keeled personality. 4.) He runs one of the most play-action pass heavy, zone run scheme, thoughtful play-sequencing, sameness of initial play look before post-snap variations offenses in the entire league. That style much like the 49ers Shanahan offense is thought to be a personnel fit with our roster's strength. Therefore, even though Stefanski is a first-time Head Coach and has his own issues, relative to the rest of the candidates on the list there's an argument to give him the nod in people's minds because he's less volatile, political, and power hungry than Josh McDaniels and more organizationally aligned and a more creative play-caller that suits our personnel when compared to McCarthy. In the end, only time will tell if his apparent qualities will translate to reality, but there's good reasons why Stefanski is the leader in the clubhouse that go beyond DePo liking him.

You buy that McCarthy stuff man? He's "reinventing himself" out back in his barn with Jim Haslett, Frank Cignetti Jr., and friends.? He is what he is. Dorsey supposedly did the same thing his time out waking up and scouting players etc. Ultimately, I think we shouldn't buy into the PR on McCarthy but instead should ask ourselves if late era McCarthy in Green Bay is good enough based on what we seek. Ted Thompson wouldn't spend on free agents and the influx of talent and roster building became stagnant. McCarthy had his own issues but it's important to remember that context; that is, things around the Packers weren't optimal. That version of Mike McCarthy may very well be a HC worthy of consideration in the Coaching Search. He is what he is. Good and Bad maybe that's enough to get us at least a shot at getting in the tournament each year, but Super Bowl McCarthy is a phantom and isn't being re-discovered in a barn out back mainly because of the wear and tear of NFL head coaching life but also because peak powers Aaron Rodgers isn't his QB.

Let's hope the owners' words hold true especially if we stay the course with Stefanski, but if Zimmer still was fired it would just be par for the course where NFL team owners say one thing then shortly thereafter do the complete opposite. Part of me wonders if Stefanski improving his staff considerations, being a successful full-time OC, and weathering an internal locker room storm early season is enough for the Haslam's to believe he's more worthy this year as opposed to last, as well as more worthy of the job relative to McCarthy and McDaniels. It's going to be a strange ride. Part of me feels like McCarthy sold them on the dream of his being a renewed man who loves analytics and has a super bowl ring. Only time will tell. I hope it's Stefanski because the alignment will give his leadership a chance to thrive and his offense is the closest thing to a play-action zone read run-first offense as the 49ers or any team in the league. That's exactly what our personnel's strengths are. I do wonder if JW Johnson, Dee/Jimmy, Chris Cooper, and DePo are adept enough to recognize this.

Indeed. Most of the McCarthy positive media pieces post-GB firing are very clearly propaganda pieces. I just don't know if his actual positive abilities whatever they may be (i.e., programmatic team plans, experience, etc) are enough to the point where it would be get us to where we hope to go or at least stabilize things for a while. Based on McCarthy's staff and the alignment the organizations desires (analytics, thoughtful creative thinkers), I still would bet on Kevin Stefanski out of the group currently even if McCarthy was or is the best head coach candidate.

McCarthy out of Stefanski and McDaniels is the 3rd best play caller. Very Likely the 1st in Head Coaching ability. And Likely will have the 3rd best OC-in-title/successor OC in Frank Cignetti Jr. Did you see Mike McCarthy's "I'm no longer stubborn like I've been for 20 years; I'm the new man and I love analytics more than anything" Special sit downs with Peter King; Tom Pelissaro.... lol We are analytics and He Gets Us Now. He'll probably convince the Haslams of such. Even still I honestly don't know whether to want McCarthy or not. I do know that those sit-downs and propaganda he's put out are bullsh*t. One things for sure is that he's still one of the most stubborn head coaches as his reputation suggests, but I have no clue if his positives are likely to either stabilize and develop the team or get us beyond that. Frank Cignetti Jr. and McCarthy aren't really offensive leaders I'd be excited to get the most out of our pieces, but in the end maybe they've change and who knows.

With the Stefanski interview forthcoming it seems that we'll interview a total of 7 candidates none of which are innovative or outside of the box candidates, but instead the same group of candidates that every other coaching search is considering. No Special Teams Coordinators and No College Coaches officially though there's been speculation regarding Urban Meyer and a few others. I would've liked to bring in Don "Wink" Martindale, DC Ravens as much as some of the other candidates because of his mentality along with his being reported to be able to hire LSU OC Joe Brady as his OC. Still would've preferred a more robust and creative initial candidate pool as finding an uncommon individuals with uncommon skills and leadership often requires looking in uncommon places. The list does tell me that the Haslam's have their eyes set and locked on a particular candidate or candidates. Last year, Greg Wiliams was the first interview I believe and Freddie Kitchens was the Last Interview. This year it appears that Josh McDaniels is the last interview scheduled unless Stefanski's official interview date is later or around the same time. It could be nothing or it could be something.

Who's ready for the Baker DocuSeries with a camera crew following his QB preparation for next year. Much like his DocuSeries headed into the his year's draft, but this time it will be sponsored by Progressive and Holiday Inn Express. Oddly enough, the docuseries featured him running on the beach. Maybe he can bring a QB trainer there this time.

There are 4-5 Principal People on Our Coach/GM Search Team: 1.) JW Johnson - No Football Experience; TV Executive 2.) Jimmy Haslam - No Football Experience except as a trash owner 3.) Paul DePodesta - Played College Football at Harvard 4.) Chris Cooper - Football Capologist, Football Administrator 5.) Dee Haslam - No Football Experience except as a trash owner --------- -- Their goal is to hire the best Football Coach and General Manager candidate; however, none of them have any expertise in football and/or organizational football building. So, what attributes are they paying attention to in order to make their decisions? It's a problem when Paul DePodesta is the best football mind in the room in order to help the decision-making process. Without football expertise and knowing what to and what not to ignore, it makes sense why the Haslam's often become enamored with personality and outwardly expressive things that may not really speak to attributes of a long-term successful program leader. I actually think a Mike McCarthy will impress that group a lot because he'll speak expertly with a super bowl behind his words while the Haslam's and ownership can barely put their football shoes on correctly. Big personalities like Eric Bienemy and Robert Saleh are likely to get their pants tingling a great deal as well.

The things Tony Dungy could do in the locker room and meeting rooms to develop the maturity and approach of this team would be extraordinaire. Dungy hasn't had favorable comments regarding the Haslam's and Baker Mayfield so unfortunately I don't think it would be a real possibility. Would be an amazing hire though. Dan Campbell interviewed with the Browns last year. It is interesting that only Kevin Stefanski out of the candidate group last year is reportedly getting a second look.

buttcheeks... he's been trash as a DC for 2 years even with talent and has caught lightning in a bottle with a successful only after adding year after Nick Bosa and Dee Ford to an already stacked 4 high first round pick DLineman and a healthy Richard Sherman. Can he be successful without superior talent? He does pass the bald, look test. He is a Defensive Coach which adds an edge. Can he lead a program? Sign me up for Mike La Fleur as OC for sure.

Alex Leatherwood returning to Bama. Big blow for the quality depth of the LT class. Leatherwood likely would've been toward the top of the 2nd tier of OTs who would come off the board mid to late round 1 or early round 2.

I never said Brooks and Mckinney were "it" as I said the former would be a 4th to 6th rounder and the latter mid-2nd to early 3rd, but I do think their ability combined with where they'll be drafted would be great value. If you think Delpit can be Jamal Adams, then we just see things as different as day is from night. I don't know what to tell you man. I would just simply say whenever you get the spare time between now and the draft watch any 5 games of Delpit this year. Then, watch 4 from last year. I'd bet that if you were truly open to letting the film guide your evaluation then I'd be confident that your opinion and evaluation of Delpit would change tremendously. I think Grant Delpit is to Jamal Adams what a Nissan is to a Ferrari. Jamal Adams is in a different stratosphere but to each their own. Yeah, I like Derrick Brown, and he definitely has pass rush ability but he's more of a hold the point of attack guy than a consistent pocket pusher. He flashes the ability to be a major force int he pass rush but doesn't maintain the consistent level. He definitely can bull rush people into the QB but he not a consistent game wrecking force like Suh was in college.

I wonder if our reported comprehensive list will in the end be all that comprehensive Also, I hope Stefanski (who isn't a confirmed interview yet apparently) doesn't back out for whatever reason or the Haslem's decide to back out for whatever reason. Coaching search may want to interview candidates it hasn't before taking another look at Stefanski, or it just hasn't been scheduled yet for numerous unknown reasonable reasons. Here's the Confirmed interviews: Confirmed Interviews (https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2020-nfl-head-coach-interview-hire-tracker-news-rumors/) Ravens DC Greg Roman on January 2 (Rapoport) Mike McCarthy on January 2 (Rapoport) 49ers DC Robert Saleh on January 4 (Rapoport) Bills OC Brian Daboll on January 5 (Cleveland.com) Patriots OC Josh McDaniels on January 10 (Rapoport) ------- We heard that potentially Dennis Allen, Matt La Fleur, Mike McDaniel, and Eric Bieniemy were likely candidates as well but no interview has been confirmed as of yet.

I absolutely agree that pocket displacement into the QBs lap or towards the QB is a premium form of pass rush. Unfortunately, I didn't see Brown really win consistently or explosively that way on a consistent basis like I'd like. He can do it though and it's a joy to watch. Now, it's hard to tell exactly what he was asked to do or what technique he was coached up with because more often then not he was a hold the point of attack guy in times where I just wanted to see him wreck the game and take the game over with push and interior disruption. Good sh*t on Bryan Wright. I haven't watched him yet. I'll add him to the list. Whether we retain Schobert or not (especially if we don't), we need to find some mid to late round gems at LB in the event that Mack or Takitaki are the guys. Do you think he's a guy that it will take a year before he can be thrown into the fire play-ability ise? Or is ready made to suit up his rookie year if he has to?

It's a great question because 1 draft pick has the ability to re-frame the track record of a GM. We intuitively understand how critical draft picks are when it comes to Quarterbacks, but those high 2nd round picks can make or break perceptions on a GM as well. The trickle down effects have major effects as well. If we had Courtland Sutton out there with Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham, could our offense have made a few more critical third downs?; could it have changed the ability to double or play certain coverage?; could it have given Baker a cleaner passing picture? We could be sitting here with 8 or 9 or 10 wins and Freddie and Dorsey still being employed. It's kind of wild

The Steelers. Colbert and Tomlin both report to ownership. That's where Jimmy gets his affinity for that structure from. But there's a difference between the Browns city environment, the Rooney's and their ownership group and the Haslam's, as well as a difference between Colbert/Tomlin and the people we've hired: 1.) The toxicity, negativity, and systematic losing surrounding the Browns causes ownership to ask loaded questions to the GM and Coach that imply that their needs to be attribution of blame and major plan of change implemented. Joe Banner and Lombardi have talked about this in the past. The GM and Coach know if they're being asked such questions separately then the other guy could be throwing him under the bus. In times of high stress and adversity, it's the perfect environment for power grabs and political in-fighting. 2.) The Haslam's are always asking people around the Coach and GM about what is wrong and what should change in-season. This info gets back to the GM and Coach and can grease the wheels for political in-fighting. Mike Pettine talked about the chaos it creates and how the info gets back to even assistant coaches and support staff. 3.) Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin made a deal that if they go down then they're going down together. They are old-school and keep Ownership on a need-to-know basis without being deceptive. The Seahawks also have this setup.

You absolutely hit it on the head. For what Jimmy seeks and to minimize ownership deficiencies, that oneness of vision and similarity in philosophic approach gives the organization the best chance to build a sustained culture whether that be an elite winning one or one that achieve above average successes. Play-sequencing is the perfect word to describe what we missed this year; that is, play-calls that build off one another in sequence, as well as build off of predicted defensive responses and adjustments. That is an exact description of what it's like watching offenses like the 49ers and Vikings. Play present themselves as similar or the same but what they become is based off of the play success, failures, and defensive responses observed throughout the game. It's a fluid, adaptive plan based in one part pre-game planning and the other part on in-game intuitive feel and situational awareness. It's thoughtful approach. As much as I'd like the 49ers offense because of the zone, play-action, and initial sameness of play variations, the Vikings offense does a lot of the same things but just with more QB movement. It's odd because we don't really move Baker to help him get in Rhythm like Shanahan does for Jimmy G and what Kubiak/Stefanski did to get Cousins going. From the outside looking in (in the end we can't know for sure), it does feel like a DePo/Berry/Stefanski pairing has the least risk of political in-fighting or non-thoughtful disagreements. The only issues with that aligned pairing beyond the staff is the "Can He Stand and the Room and Command Respect and Lead" type commenting about Stefanski. Oddly enough, Matt La Fleur was criticized last year for not having the outward leadership juice and not being able to command the room or energize big egos, but he's doing just fine this year. The key for him is the winning. Winning gets buy-in. If adversity hits in the future, he can point to the winning track record. That type of outward leadership is important during losing and adversity to keep buy-in and investment to the plan high. For Stefanski and Berry to work, we definitely need to come out and establish success for their plan to take hold even more so than a McDaniels or McCarthy that can point to long-standing success track-records for why it's important to stay the course. I do wonder if Andrew Berry/Kevin Stefanski/Wolf have the respect around the league to collaboratively assemble a really good or great Staff. Only time will tell.

There's a chance that we can still have success if we fix the offensive line, Baker takes a step forward in development, OBJ/Jarvis are healthy, and a TE/Njoku can contribute even a little. We could be one of those teams that can outscore teams in shoot-outs. There's enough talent on the roster that a little New Head Coach juice... some competent play-calling and this team could be a 9+ win team. A lot of ifs, but the roster core talent is still reason to have optimism even with Jimmy. As long as the coaching search doesn't go left field for a Robert Saleh, we might have at least one good optimistic season under Stefanski, McDaniels, or McCarthy before it comes crashing down. McCarthy interviewed today; Roman tonight; McDaniels next Friday; no word yet on when the Stefanski interview is.