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Notes From Lombardi

Michael Lombardi

Bookmark and Share Print This Send This January 05, 2009, 02:48 PM EST
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By Michael Lombardi:

FIVE THINGS I HEAR....

1.     I hear the Cowboys are not sweating the notion of losing Jason Garrett to another team as a head coach.  They are actually hoping this might happen. 

2.     I hear the Broncos were not enamored or impressed with Steve Spagnuolo and he does not seem to be the frontrunner.  However, they were very impressed with Josh McDaniels of the Patriots, and he might be the favorite now.  The Broncos might be on a fast track to hire a coach this week.  Moving up the Raheem Morris interview means they might want to move quickly.

3.     I hear -- and keep hearing -- it is Eric Mangini’s job in Cleveland, and he is already assembling a staff. 

4.     I hear Winston Moss, the Packers’ linebackers coach, might be the team’s new defensive coordinator. 

                                                  

5.     I hear there are several teams interested in Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, and now that he’s out of the playoffs, his interview process can speed along.  I hear the Rams and the Lions are major players interested in his services and I would not be surprised if he got one of those jobs. 

FIVE THINGS I KNOW....

1.    That Jim Harbaugh of Stanford University will be a great head coach, and the Jets’,Rams’ and Lions’ interest in him is not surprising at all. 

2.    The Broncos have a better young offensive coach on their staff in Jeremy Bates than the Cowboys have in offensive coordinator Jason Garrett.  The NFL is all about perception, and very few watch tape to learn the real story.  What did Garrett do this year to deserve an interview?  

3.    The Chargers are going to be better off without LT in their game against the Steelers.  To beat the Steelers, you must have quickness and explosive movement, and right now, based on his injury, LT has neither. 

4.    The Eagles will have to bring Donovan McNabb back, and this is not even up for discussion.  They have too many other needs, especially at tackle, to make a move at quarterback. 

5.    No one will ever get control of the Raiders at any point in the next 3 to 5 years.  The Raiders’ future does not include the family giving away controlling interest.  I do know the Raiders would like to sell another 10 percent of the team, but not their controlling interest.  I have no idea who would be interested in buying 10 percent with no say and no control.   

*Michael Lombardi will be appearing on the NFL Network tonight between 6:30 and 7:30pm eastern. 

**Click here to listen to Lombardi’s most recent podcast with ESPN’s Bill Simmons

Comments

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Gerry
Jan 05, 2009
03:30 PM

Mike, any thoughts on Winston Moss as a D-coordinator? I have heard he is well-thought of personally, but it doesn't seem like he has accomplished much, if anything, on the field. The position he coached, linebacker, was a huge problem for the Packers this year, in my opinion. The linebackers regressed this year, and hardly ever made any positive plays. It's not like Moss could point to the linebackers as a reason he should be promoted. In fact, the linebacker play this year could justify his firing.

betagoat
Jan 05, 2009
03:49 PM

The Rams interviewed Winston Moss last week for the head coach position. They've not scheduled a second interview yet. It's interesting that he was not in the group fired in GB and is talked about being promoted to defensive coordinator.

Mike
Jan 05, 2009
03:49 PM

Mike,
If this is true about the Broncos liking McDaniels then what does Denver do with its defense?

Scott M.
Jan 05, 2009
04:02 PM

Gerry - your description of the situation is adequate for some of the LBs but what about Chillar and Bishop, guys who were basically new to the system? And if you go back to training camp stories, there were a lot of things going on coaching wise, especially blitzes, that never got called by Sanders in the games. He was also the position coach in 2006 and 2007 when everybody thought we had a great LB corps.

Given his position as assistant head coach, there's probably been quite a bit of "Bob's the boss but I'd try XXXXX if I got the chance." It's not a bad way to go if they have a good plan to move forward with - get a new defense without reinventing the wheel.

rachel
Jan 05, 2009
04:28 PM

Happy new year!

Any news on who the top contenders are in KC for GM and, if Herm is let loose, coach?

Who do YOU think is best for the GM and coach positions in KC?

Thanks,
Rachel

BTC
Jan 05, 2009
04:28 PM

As Micheal said in his piece, in relation to Garrett, the NFL is ALL about perception. The Rams are interested so Winston must be good..not sure if I buy that but.. Scott, may have a point regarding LB's but as position coach Moss's input had to be a reason why Hawk was moved to middle, a position he can't seem to play, or his injurys never healed. Either way Moss is closest to the LB's he has to take some of that blame.

Sonny L.
Jan 05, 2009
04:29 PM

Cleveland fans must be doing cartwheels over Mangina....good lord are they cursed or what?

Scot
Jan 05, 2009
04:30 PM

I love the idea of McDaniels coming to Denver. The talent base in Denver right now is slanted towards the offense. The team philosophy is offense based. Get another great offensive mind in there, and take care of the defense through a BETTER Defensive talent evaluator at GM and some stability at the DC position.

You don't have to have a Defensive HC to improve the defense.

Sonny L.
Jan 05, 2009
04:32 PM

...and why would Denver hire McDaniels if Bates is as good as advertised? To have 2 good offensive minds and the same crappy defense?

Sonny L.
Jan 05, 2009
04:34 PM

Good point Scot, but if that was the case,why not just strip Shanahan of his GM duties?

Scott M.
Jan 05, 2009
05:03 PM

BTC - Not necessarily on Moss having input. As Matt has made a point of noting, sometimes there are other factors in why certain players are on the field. Did Sanders order the move, and then Moss respond with "Okay Boss" while whispering in McCarthy's ear that it ain't going to work. I think there was a lot of infighting going on with that defense and that perhaps some coaches were included on both sides.

Kevin
Jan 05, 2009
05:16 PM

At (unless I'm mistaken) $3 mil per
year, has there ever been an assistant
or coordinator in the NFL as overpaid
as Jason Garrett is ?

The guy has done nothing whatsoever
to distinguish himself the last couple
years putting together that Cowboy
offense.

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