Diner News: Around The NFL

BY: MICHAEL LOMBARDI

7 Jan 2009

QUOTE:  “The world is in a constant conspiracy against the brave. It's the age-old struggle: the roar of the crowd on the one side, and the voice of your conscience on the other.” ~ Douglas MacArthur

FROM RICH CIMINI OF THE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS…On day 9 of the Jets' coaching search, Woody Johnson met privately with Brian Schottenheimer in the owner's first post-vacation interview, Boston College coach Jeff Jagodzinski satisfied an apparent career death wish by huddling with Jets officials and Bill Cowher said he wouldn't reconsider even if Johnson personally reached out to him. Say this for the Jets: Their searches aren't dull.  Oh, yes, they also received permission from the Colts to interview defensive coordinator Ron Meeks, according to a person familiar with the search. That meeting is scheduled for Friday at the Jets' facility in Florham Park, N.J. Jagodzinski became the fourth known candidate to interview for the job, defying an ultimatum from his athletic director. Told that he'd be fired if he met with the Jets, the former Packers and Falcons assistant showed up anyway, league sources said, interviewing for a job he has little chance of landing. He could be considered for the offensive coordinator position down the road, but it's believed he has a better shot at the same job with the Seahawks, where he'd be reunited with former Falcons coach Jim Mora Jr.

We first reported at the Post that Jeff Jagodzinski was in New Jersey yesterday meeting with the Jets, knowing that he will be fired as a result.  I’m sure Jeff feels he has a good case to claim the money that remains on his Boston College contract, otherwise he would not have interviewed for a job that, in his case, was more exploratory than realistic.  It does not make sense for Jeff to take this hard-line approach if he did not want to get fired and get back in the NFL.  Some coaches are meant for the NFL and some are meant for college.  B.C. does not want to hinder its recruiting and it wants to keep a coach for a long time.  I’m sure this conversation took place long before this past weekend between Jags and athletic director Gene DeFilippo.  I have a hunch that DeFilippo made sure that Jags did not want to return to the NFL before he was offered the job. 

The Jets are all over the board in their search and seem to be trying to cover all the bases and keep everyone involved in the process.   This week, they are heading to Arizona to interview Russ Grimm and will also meet with Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh.  Harbaugh has talked to the Rams, but he prefers to stay at Stanford, and once he finalizes his extension on the Farm, he will be out of the running for these jobs.

Now, back to the Jets, who seem to be looking under every rock for a new coach.  I feel they don’t have a plan.  They seem to be more interested in impressing their owner with a list of names and not focusing on what they really need.  How do you interview Steve Spagnuolo of the Giants but not Jim Schwartz of the Titans (the Jets have not even requested an interview with Schwartz)? How do you interview Brian Schottenheimer but not talk to other young offensive minds?  The Jets have to first ask what they want in a head coach this time.  Do they want a young coach, an offensive coach or a defensive coach?  Too much of anything means you have nothing, and they Jets need to have a shorter list and a clearer plan of action.  

Everyone I talk to in and around the NFL feel this job is Schottenheimer’s.  He is bright, he is young and he will work with GM Mike Tannenbaum.  In the end, the Jets (i.e., Tannenbaum) are more interested in finding someone who will not challenge Mike T.’s power rather than getting the best coach.  Why not hire Brian’s father Marty for two years and let him groom his son for the job? Marty would give the Jets instant credibility and he would be able to lay down a foundation for Brian as he grows into the head coaching position.  Spending the money on Marty would be the best money the Jets could spend right now.  In his memoir, Henry Kissinger said, “When you go to Washington to enter public life, you borrow on the intellectual power you bring and you cannot renew it while you are there.”  The NFL is very much like this. Hiring Marty would allow Brian to gain on-the-job training. 

Now, the reality of the situation is that it’s not an attractive job.  The Jets are in a bad cap situation, they don’t have a young quarterback and they are faced with problems in their offensive line.  The expectations are going to far exceed the results. Whoever gets this job will endure some sleepless nights. 

FROM MARY KAY CABOT OF THE CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER…The Browns have received permission to interview Eagles General Manager Tom Heckert for their GM vacancy, a league source confirmed to The Plain Dealer Tuesday night.  It is not yet known when the interview is, but the Eagles are preparing for their divisional playoff game Sunday against the Giants in New York. The Heckert story was first reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer. Heckert, widely regarded as one of the NFL's top executives, is in his eighth year with the Eagles and has been the team's GM since Jan. 2, 2006. He doesn't have final say over the 53-man roster, but works closely with coach Andy Reid on all personnel matters. He also manages the player personnel department, which includes both college and NFL scouting. In May, Heckert received a contract extension through 2011.

I have been told by several reliable sources that the Browns and Scott Pioli have not even talked about money or demands.  They had a meeting, but it was more of a getting-to-know-you meeting.  I believe Randy Lerner does not want to be turned down and does not want to appear unwilling to wait for Pioli to make a decision.  He may feel Scott will never leave the Patriots (which many have told me recently) and he does not want to embarrass his franchise by being turned down.  I completely understand his desire to protect the franchise.  As for Heckert, it is clear he wants to move on from Philadelphia and gain additional freedom.  Heckert has been mentioned for a number of jobs throughout the league, but my sense is that he better take one soon because, even though he has years left on his deal, he does not have the clout he needs in Philadelphia to make a difference. 

Once Scott makes up his mind, I expect Eric Mangini to be named Browns coach and George Kokinis, the Ravens’ director of pro personnel, to follow shortly afterward as GM. 

FROM  LINDSAY H. JONES OF THE DENVER POST…On Tuesday, (Jason Garrett) was in Denver to interview with Broncos owner Pat Bowlen for the team's head coaching job. Garrett, 42, was the fifth candidate interviewed since Bowlen fired Mike Shanahan on Dec. 30, and the third offensive-minded coach, following New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels on Sunday and Broncos offensive coordinator Rick Dennison earlier Tuesday.  "I have great respect for the Broncos organization," Garrett told 9News when he arrived at Denver International Airport on Tuesday. "They are very impressive from top to bottom. I'm excited to have the opportunity to speak to the Broncos."

Last year, Jerry Jones paid Garrett not to look for a head coaching job. This year, from the look of things, Jerry is firing up the jets to get Garrett an interview.  Something is very strange here.  Garrett turned down a request from the Lions, then finally agreed to interview with them Monday before going to Denver to meet with Broncos brass.  Why?  You are making huge money, you are coaching one of the best franchises in the NFL and your time is coming to be a head coach.  Why the change?  Everyone wants the Cowboys to fire Wade Phillips, whose defense played well until the final two weeks. The real problem with the ‘Boys has been the offense.  The failure to get Roy Williams involved and the inability to handle the Baltimore pressure package might be factors in the Cowboys’ decision to allow Garrett to pursue a job.  One thing about the NFL: If they don’t want you to leave, they can stop you -- trust me on that one. 

From what I’m hearing, the Broncos loved New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who seems to be formulating his staff, including Dom Capers as his defensive coordinator.  The Broncos will not take much more time and will make a decision in the next week.   

FROM MIKE TOMLIN’S PRESS CONFERENCE…Whether the Steelers are motivated by losing in the first round of the playoffs last season:

“I think that's so far in our rearview (mirror) at this point. We're a different group, some of the key components are different, some of the roles are different. I just think having an opportunity to do what we have to do and what's in front of us right now is motivation for all of us. We're in the final eight. We're in the final four of the AFC. It's awesome. It should be great motivation.”

One aspect of the Chargers' offense that makes San Diego tough to defend:

“They've really sharpened their screen game. They've hurt people and hurt people bad since we last played them. They get their uncovered linemen out in front, they dump the ball to tailbacks, fullbacks, tight ends. They block people and they run people into the end zone.”

Last year’s playoff game is meaningless, and the first game against the Chargers might be meaningless because the Chargers are playing some of their best football now.  In fact, during the Steelers game, there were times when I felt the Chargers were finally getting their team turned around.  They looked more physical in the game, and their pad level was the best I had seen in some time.  Then they turned the ball over and allowed the Steelers to have 37 plays in the last three drives, which were killer drives.  The Chargers did not use Sproles in the last game (he had one catch for nine yards), and this time his speed and quickness will help the Chargers’ offense. When Tomlin talks about the screen game, he is really talking about the dimension that Sproles brings to the table. 

One thing is for sure -- Philip Rivers will need to play much better if the Chargers are going to win. 

FROM EDWARD LEE OF THE BALTIMORE SUN…The first meeting between the Ravens and Tennessee Titans took place 14 weeks ago, but it didn't take long for rookie quarterback Joe Flacco to recall his performance in that Oct. 5 contest. "It was a tough game," said Flacco, who tossed two interceptions, no touchdowns and compiled the third-lowest passer rating of his career (50.4) in a 13-10 loss. "I turned the ball over a little bit more than I would have wanted to." Flacco earned a shot at a little redemption when the Ravens dispatched the Miami Dolphins, 27-9, on Sunday and advanced to an AFC divisional playoff game against Tennessee this Saturday at LP Field. Although Flacco's numbers against the Titans three months ago seemed modest, he did complete 66.7 percent (18 of 27) of his passes for 153 yards and avoided getting sacked. But two passes landed in the hands of free safety Michael Griffin and cornerback Nick Harper, and a third interception by linebacker David Thornton was reversed because Thornton could not maintain possession before he fell out of bounds.

Since that October game, Flacco has lived another lifetime.  He has gone to Dallas and won, he has won a playoff game and he has grown as a passer.  The first game is almost meaningless and will not factor in this game.  The fact that the Titans are home and can use the crowd noise to hurt the Ravens’ running game (and help their own) is a bigger factor.  Flacco must play better than he did last week in Miami; he has to be quicker with the ball and be able to make some very tight throws.  This game will not be about completion percentage for Joe Flacco but rather about his yards per pass attempt.  He has to find a way to use that big arm to make big plays. 

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