Diner Morning News: Around The NFL

FROM MICHAEL LOMBARDI:

19 MAY 2009

QUOTE:  “I do not concern myself with being consistent in what I say, but with being consistent with the truth as it reveals itself to me.”  -- Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948)

FROM LES BOWEN OF THE PHILADEPHIA DAILY NEWS... The Eagles announced yesterday that (Jim) Johnson would be taking a leave of absence for a second round of chemotherapy. No return date was indicated; it is unsure when or whether Johnson, who turns 68 on May 26, will resume his duties. Secondary coach Sean McDermott will run the defense in Johnson's absence, as he did during Johnson's initial treatment.

I sincerely hope that this is just a leave of absence and not a permanent decision to leave the game.  My thoughts and prayers are with Jim Johnson as he battles melanoma. Jim is one of the best defensive coaches in the NFL.  He’s unique, from his ability to develop his scheme to his ability to fit the players into the scheme -- but most of all, his ability to call a game as defensive coordinator. It seems like most of the time the offensive coordinator gets the spotlight for making his calls while the defensive coordinator seldom gets attention as a play caller. Johnson has a very good rhythm as a play caller along with a great feel for the game. Because of the uniqueness of the scheme he designed, he seems to have the perfect sense of when to make the right call. 

I’m sure that McDermott, the interim coordinator, is a very good coach. I don’t know him as a person or as a coach, but I do know that he’s walking into a very tough position. He might know the whole playbook that Johnson designed, and he might know the way that Johnson designed the new blitzes each week for the upcoming opponent. He might know the fundamental way Johnson installed the defense, but the hardest job is to be the substitute teacher. As a substitute, you attempt to keep things status quo, but as soon as something breaks down, the natural reaction is always, “This would never happen had Johnson been here.” 

This is a delicate situation for McDermott. He must allow his personality to emerge but also maintain the integrity of the system Johnson installed. It will require McDermott to be strong in his beliefs, strong in his coaching style and respectful to Johnson. This is a huge challenge for a young coach. 

FROM ROY CUMMINGS OF THE TAMPA TRIBUNE... “Today's a new beginning for me, a change of life,' Gruden said during a national conference call. "Whether it's me being critical or me being myself, I'll do the preparation and do everything I can to do a good job.'  Gruden wouldn't rule out a return to the coaching ranks and neither he nor Williamson would comment on the length of Gruden's contract or whether it would allow him to return to coaching before it expires. For now, though, Gruden seems committed to ESPN. "I'm excited to try something I believe in,' he said. “If I can withstand the pressure maybe I can hang in there and keep this job for a while. So right now I'm just focused on this season.'

Jon “Love you Bro” Gruden is back in the game. He will do a great job sharing his knowledge with the Monday night audience. Jon has a unique ability to be able to see the players and plays, blending them both so that fans can capture the essence of the game.  He will work hard and be detailed in his preparation for each team. 

It’s in his preparation that some teams will be a little concerned. For example, if you’re a head coach of an established team in the league, are you going to allow Gruden to have the complete access that comes with being on TV, knowing that there’s a good chance he might be coaching against you twice a year the following year? Being able to watch practice, scout the players and learn intimate information about teams can benefit a coach if he wants to come back in the NFL.  Doing studio shows does not allow the same access, so Gruden will have to be very careful and sensitive to rumors that might go around in late November or December when he visits teams in preparation for games. 

This is a delicate spot for Gruden. His agent, Bob LaMonte, was proactive Monday, saying that Jon is at a point in his life where he might settle into the TV gig for more than one year.  Gruden must make everyone feel at ease. Coaches, for the most part, are sensitive with their priority information -- regardless of who’s coming in for a visit. But if they believe they’re giving information to a coach who will be back in the league soon, it will make those weekly production meetings a little icy. 

One thing for certain, Gruden will be good TV. 

FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS... (Michael Vick) will be allowed to go to his full-time construction job and likely will be allowed about five hours a week for other court-approved activities, according to Ed Bales, managing director of Federal Prison Consultants, an inmate rehabilitation advocacy group. Permissible activities for inmates on home confinement typically include things like medical appointments, religious obligations and meetings with probation officials. No dinners out. No chilling at a friend’s house.

If I were advising Michael Vick as he takes steps to resume a normal life, I would tell him that the next month or two will be the hardest time of this period in his life. No longer in prison, he is now in the real world, faced with the temptation of finally being a semi-free man. He’ll be under severe scrutiny from the probation office, from fans and from the media. One little mess-up can result in a huge problem. The wrong tone, the wrong demeanor, the wrong look will provoke conflict, and he must understand that people will deliberately try to elicit a reaction from him. 

He will need to project a strong sense of self-discipline. He must be cordial with each person he meets and go out of his way to avoid conflict. Vick must understand that there’s a shadow that looms over him each day.  He must accept and embrace this aspect of his life with a smile.  Kindness is his only way to avoid future trouble; being humble is the only way to get back into the NFL. 

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