29 JAN 2009
QUOTE: “A good coach will make his players see what they can be rather than what they are.” ~ Ara Parasheghian
FROM DAVID HAUGH OF THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE... “I was on the record all year, I know Kyle Orton, I followed him through college, I saw him early with the Bears and I thought he grew up," (Phil) Simms said. "He was a different-looking guy this year. He has a moxie to him. There is a little something he has that I like. Whatever the Bears do, whoever goes in there, it'd be awfully tough to think you're going to take Kyle Orton's job. I know that." So what team represents the best fit for (Chris) Simms, in his father's opinion? "The Tennessee Titans, I like their offensive line, I think it suits him," he said. "[Their philosophy] is, 'We're going to do this or that but when we throw, we're going to hammer it. We're not going to throw a screen, we're going to throw to get yards.' I always have thought that's what suits him best. I think there are 10 teams in the league that are perfect for him, there's another 10 that are good and the rest of them, I hate them as far as their system." Simms smirked when told the Bears and Angelo have liked his son since he came out of Texas in the 2003 NFL draft when he was the sixth quarterback taken in the third round—the year the Bears took Rex Grossman in the first round.
I don’t think most people understand the hardship and severity of the injury that Chris Simms suffered in Tampa. He was really in bad shape, and he is just now getting back to the place he was before the injury. He has great determination and toughness and needed every ounce of strength to overcome his injury. Now that all the rehab is done and his arm strength is back to normal, he’s ready to compete for a starting job. This happens all the time in the league -- a player gets injured and tries to keep playing, but all he does is damage his career. Rich Gannon went through a similar situation with his shoulder. He needed to take a year off and fix his shoulder, and once he was allowed back by the Chiefs, his career started to take off -- and the Raiders were lucky to bring him on board. Gannon and Simms both have unique leadership talent and competitive fire. It benefited Gannon to find Jon Gruden, and all Simms needs to turn his career around is the right coach in the right situation. Simms has great leadership ability; even in Tennessee he had the respect of his teammates, and everyone knew and appreciated his work ethic.
The Bears are one team that must go after a veteran quarterback, and they must bring in the type of player who can win over their locker room and demonstrate leadership ability. They must invest in a quarterback in the draft, but they must also make sure they have a veteran on the team. There were times this year, before he suffered an ankle injury, when Kyle Orton looked very good and was in rhythm and productive. But once he got hurt, he was never the same guy. The Bears must repair their offensive line and secure their left tackle position before they can correctly evaluate the quarterback.
In a league that has very few quality quarterbacks, Simms will command a market. The Bears will need to tell him that he will compete for the starting job, and any other interested team must to do the same. Players want a chance to compete, but they also want to go to a team that will enhance their strengths and fits their talents.
For example, I hear that Byron Leftwich, currently on the Steelers, would love to go to Washington and compete for a starting job against Jason Campbell. Leftwich is from the D.C. area and has a command and presence about him and can lead people. He is targeting the ‘Skins as a team where he could go and make a difference if given a chance to compete. Now he must convince the ‘Skins.
FROM STEVE CORKRAN OF THE CONTRA COSTA TIMES... However, Cable has not signed a contract, and any such move isn't imminent, contrary to an ESPN report Wednesday. "A decision has not been made yet," Raiders senior executive John Herrera said in response to the report. Herrera said he told the reporter as much when he called the Raiders seeking comment. Two people familiar with the situation confirmed that Cable's contract expired Jan. 13 and has not been renewed. Cable said an announcement will be made by Davis once he has made a decision. Until then, Cable added, he won't comment on the situation. Davis has interviewed Cable, New York Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride and Green Bay Packers assistant head coach/linebackers coach Winston Moss for the job Cable held the final 12 games last season. The ESPN report cited "a source close to another candidate for the Raiders' head coaching job" as saying the Raiders told the candidate Tuesday that Cable got the job.
I love that Baghdad John Herrera is back at his post. Everyone in the NFL knows that Cable will be the head coach of the Raiders, and eventually, Baghdad John will confirm it. The best way for me to explain what’s going on at the Hotel is to relate it to dealing with your children. If you tell your child that you’ll take him to the candy store if he behaves, he will behave. If you take him before then, he will not. Someone told Cable that he would be the next head coach (the candy store), and if he was good while the owner picked his staff, he would get the job. Once the staff is finalized, Cable will get his reward. Does that make sense? Nothing changes at the Hotel, nothing at all.
FROM JOEY REEDY OF THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER... “Some of our better players have not played up to the standard they need to play to," Lewis said Wednesday. "When you have injuries and other stuff, guys have to rise up and play better. You can't play the same. You have to go out and play better, and that's what good teams do. I think we have fought through mediocrity. When mediocre players have mediocre success, then they feel like they have done more than they have really done." Since starting the season 3-0 in 2006, when according to Lewis "everything got big and everyone felt like they had the answers," the Bengals have gone into a freefall, including a 4-11-1 finish last season. Most of the focus will be on the offense, where the unit finished 32nd, last in the NFL. "We have to have a big change. Our style of run and passing game, we have to change because our players have changed and I think that's important that we continue to adjust with them some," Lewis said. "We need to do a better job of pass protection, and you do that by being able to run the football more effectively."
I believe in the saying, “You are either coaching it or allowing it to happen.” Clearly, Marvin Lewis has been allowing this to happen and will need to change as much as the players. No coach can walk into a room and demand changes from the players; he must personalize the command and make sure that everyone does their job better. Everyone. If we can get a 30-percent improvement from everyone in the building, not just the players, then we have a chance to improve.
What bothers me about what Lewis is saying is that he didn’t say it or see it during the season -- and didn’t try to stop it. The head coach must be able to prepare his team and anticipate. It all comes from knowing your team. In addition, you can’t wait until the season is over to make the right changes. It goes back to “You are either coaching it or allowing it to happen.”
FROM SCOTT BROWN OF THE PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE REVIEW... Dick LeBeau has no plans to retire if the Steelers win Sunday, even though the defensive coordinator is 71 and could end his illustrious career as a Super Bowl champion. There had been rumors that LeBeau would step down if the Steelers win a record sixth Super Bowl in his 50th NFL season. "He said he's definitely not retiring," Steelers inside linebacker James Farrior said. "He told us last week." LeBeau is in his second stint as Steelers' defensive coordinator, and this season may have been his finest one yet. The Steelers led the NFL in points allowed, total defense and passing defense, and they finished second in rushing defense. LeBeau could pass for someone in his early 50s, and it is not uncommon for him to do push-ups while the Steelers players are warming up before practice. He seems to be getting better with age and the grind of the job — LeBeau regularly puts in 14-to-16 hour days — has yet to slow him down. "The way our players are playing," LeBeau said, "I'd sure hate to miss another year of this."
I hope LeBeau does not retire because he’s getting better at his job -- his age is only a number. The NFL lately has looked very lightly on having experience, especially in its head coaches. Moreover, when there’s a person and coach of the quality of Dick LeBeau, you never want to see him leave the game. LeBeau has been on the cutting edge of the game, which is one reason he’s stayed so young. A sign in Bill Parcells’ office is General MacArthur’s Creed for Youth. LeBeau is a model for the creed:
“Youth is not a time of life. It is a state of mind. It is a test of will, a quality of imagination, vigor of emotions, a predominance of courage over timidity of the appetite of adventure over love of ease. Nobody grows old by merely living a number of years. People grow old by deserting their ideals. Years wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul.”
Not to turn into Mr. Murder and inundate these comments, but one last thing on the Bears: It's obvious they have issues on the offensive side of the ball and if there's one thing Jerry Angelo has proven is he has no clue about drafting offensive players. If I'm a Bears fan this off-season scares the shat out of me. Combine that with a defense rapidly in decline and you are looking at a squandered opportunity. You got to one Super Bowl but have nothing else to show for it.
I agree SJG, Marvin just isn't a good leader of men despite his football mind.
What a joke Oakland is...does Cable have any pride to sit back and let this 'be a good little boy' routine carry on?
I'd like to know what influence Marvin Lewis has as to the players CINC has drafted. Famously, they've picked bad character guys. This may be part of their problem. On the plsu sdie, the Bengals defense closed strong allowing only ~20 points (sum)over their final 3 games. It is true they got (what amounts to) a bye vs. CLEV and Dorsey, but they took down WASH too, and a KC team that has scored.
Some bad luck has factored, or that bad character thing. The Bengals 2005 consisted of: David Pollack (career ended with neck injury); Odell Thurman (1 excellent year and done) and Chris Henry, who has produced in those rare moments when he's not suspended.
Interesting to read that Jon Gruden had a hand in resurrecting Rich Gannon's career. Good to know. On the dark side, he had a hand in de-railing Chris Simms.
One may say the same of Cadillac Williams, a fine rotation back who was all but destroyed by a ridiculous workload. In his first 3 games 2005 Williams had 88 carries and 434 yards. After that, he was nearly useless 'til Week 11. Apparently, Gruden learned nothing; in Weeks 14 and 16 (2 non-consecutive games), Williams summed 60 carries and 262 yards. Broke down again.
In those 5 rook season games: 148 carries and 694 yards. On his career: 632 carries and 2417 yards which is to say: since then, he's been virtually no factor. Poor return on pick 1.05.
IMO, this is more a matter of misuse by Coach rather than lack of desire, toughness or like that. Few backs are capable of 30 carries per game. Cadillac Williams was not one of those. He was a rotation back at Auburn, and best cast as a rotation back in the Show.
That's a great quote by General MacArthur.
Mike,
I did not discover this site until it had been up a few months and am now a regular. I always assumed that "the Hotel" was shorthad for the "the Hotel California" but just went back to some of your early columns to confirm. I noticed that on August 4, you wrote that sources were telling you that Raheem Morris was headcoaching material. Wow. Nice call.
Drew
"...since he came out of Texas in the 2003 NFL draft when he was the sixth quarterback taken in the third round..."
Ouch. He showed the wrong thing to a lot of teams, from the looks of it.
You mean to say his college team won it all after he left?
He's too hesitant, a read and react type, he lacks anticipation, fluidity, and has a terribly slow release. Your feet lead the action, he has horrid feet.
I think the 49ers could do a lot worse than bringing Simms in unless they really believe Alex Smith is good enough to compete for the starting job.
Simms would offer better value than Cassel.
Murder, his college team won a lot of big games while he was there, after he was BENCHED. Major Applewhite made his reputation on bailing out Chris Simms and coming in to rescue the day.
As for Lewis having player personnel input, I believe Mr Lombardi had some quotes a ways back from Lewis where he not only bragged about his picking skills but also claimed credit for getting all those good players Baltimore had on defense while he was there. Ozzie Newsome must have belly laughed at that one.
Lewis and Cincinatti need a fresh start. If Tampa and Denver realised that why can't Cincinatti?
Lewis carries too much baggage and would do well to return to co-ordinator duties. That team needs an enema.
Lombardi,
you hit Marvin Lewis right on the head. It was ridiculous how he allowed this to happen and now the Bengals, even in a league driven by parity, probably have no shot to be good. I don't know when this franchise will clean up their mess. While I don't believe in Chris Simms, you do bring up a good point about the offensive line being in place. Yes, the NFL is a quarterback league, but the quarterback is only as good as the offensive line in front of him.
Simms needs a strong-willed, veteran, defensive minded coach and system.
Simms and Chad Pennington are similar style players. And like Pennington, Simms needs the proper team attitude to succeed. One that values leadership and mental fortitude rather than arm strength and physical prowess.
It might never happen for the guy because those opportunities are so few and far between, but there is a recipe for him to have success I think.
On a side note, I don't see Leftwich and Zorn mixing at all. That's a tree Leftwich shouldn't be barking up. I heard rumors that Leftwich and his strong arm might be a fit with the Jets if Favre actually calls it quits (which I have no idea of).
Byron should probably stay put because Ben is always getting dinged. Charlie Batch added a lot of years from that perspective.
The opportunity window can close so quick for a starter and starter money, though.
Where else could he go?
Tampa may still need a passer, Detroit does as well, but Byron needs to go where the emphasis is on a reload instead of a rebuild. So that means staying put, trying Tampa, or the Redskins(as others note, Zorn could be gone by week three or four).
Suppose Leftwich made the Niners QB play secure, a big arm to keep people off of Gore's running game. I don't see him fitting what they had in the past or recent, but his team is going new directions....
He needs to be somewhere that can run the ball, somewhere that has some kind of team identity intact. Usually that means other leaders are already established for the said team, Byron ends up being a game manager and distributes the ball.
dont listen to the "outsiders" Mr Cable...you just concentrate on your job at hand sir. the nation appreciates your loyalty, trust these days. go raiders!
This website would be so much better sans all scorned ex-girlfriendish "Hotel" comments... Don't stoop to the level that Florio and PFT have resided in...
Personally, I think Leftwich would be a good fit in Singletary and Raye's run first SF offense... It would help hide that un-Godly slow release of his...
Raider fans are nothing if not unbelievable in their capacity to deny, deny, deny.
Keep on with that "loyalty" talk. It'll keep rewarding you with 4-12 seasons.
Mike
The raiders didn't know what a good team they had with you, gruden, and bruce allen.
I felt you guys did a great job. Now all we got is a senile davis with no help except his top stooge herrera!
Nicely done. You urged the Jets to consider Simms before the Favre experiment. It would have resolved their QB needs for years to come. And McArthur is right.
Being ranked 7th all-time in INTs (with 62), in an era when the ball wasn't thrown as much, and a 3-time Pro Bowler, Dick LeBeau deserves to be in the Hall of Fame based upon his playing career. The old timers committee needs to rectify that injustice.
Simms is not a good qb. Even before his injury he was an up and down qb...never could win the big game. As for the Jets he would have been a downgrade from Pennington. Even with the righ system Simms will never take a team to the SB...he'll only be a good backup.
I sense a wee bit of bitterness between you and the Raiders, Mike.
Mike,
I love the Baghdad John nickname!
And I appreciate the insight on what goes on at the Hotel. I've tried to walk away from them until The Genius is no longer involved, but have been unable to divorce myself. Still love the Raiders even though there are extremely mismanaged.
I'm certain I would never want to work for that Machiavellian lunatic.
What happened to the remark by Jason?That was the best remark I have read.Just because he told you that you were "unprofessional" about calling out the raiders front office, you pulled his comment.That is weak!
For someone who used to work for Al you sure don't know him very well. Either that or you just like to make a dig at him every chance you get...which is sad and very unprofessional.
If you really knew Al you would understand that interviewing prospective coaches and assistants is his favorite pasttime. Everyone knows that Cable with be the coach...even Al knows that. He just won't come out and say it because then he wouldn't be allowed to meet with the other assitant coaches in the NFL to talk football and pick thrier brains. By not making an anouncement he can operate under the guise that the HC job is still open and therefor other teams cannot deny him permission to speak with their coordinators. Pretty smart if you ask me.
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Jan 29, 2009
10:27 AM
No matter what team, I don't think Chris Simms has what it takes to be an NFL QB. Frankly he didn't have what it took to win the big games in college either and if his name was Chris Money we wouldn't still be talking about him. He has the physical skills but when the fur starts flying the game is too quick for him. The successful QBs find a way to slow the game down when it gets like this but Simms can't do it.
How ironic that Marvin Lewis talks about injuries and guys stepping up. If Palmer had not got hurt Lewis would probably have been fired because Cincy would have been just as bad and Lewis wouldn't have an alibi. Mike L. talks about him not seeing it or stopping it this year, but he didn't see it or stop it last year or the year before. The guy is simply a bad coach, end of story. Hopefully for Cincy everyone stays healthy next year so when the team sucks again ownership will finally realize a change is needed.