2011 NFL Thread: The Lazarus Season - Part 7

[Rowsdower!]

Also, for all those who have laughed at the sheer ineptitude of the entire Colts organization (and also for Detroit fans who have been longing for the day when a team would emerge to be worst than the 2008 Lions), here's a treat:

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/sports/0-11-Colts-Vs-0-16-Lions-WHO-IS-THE-WORSTEST-134754553.html

The Colts Are the Worst Team in NFL History



This is the worst team in NFL history. Even worse than the 2008 Lions.


At least those Lions made a concerted effort to NOT go 0-16. In fact, they were a cheap Bernard Berrian PI call away from going 1-15. They were desperate to avoid the mark and, as a consequence, I think we all felt kinda bad for them when that last chance to win slipped away.


Not this team. This team has been dead set on 0-16 ever since September, and I don’t think anyone in Indy cares because A) The season was lost from the get-go, and B) ANDREW LUCK! So marvel at this team for the next five weeks. We may never see a team this bereft of leadership again.

 

[Poeman]

I agree...Therefore, MVP of 2011 NFL season should be..................

once again...........................









Peyton Manning

 

[Matt]

I think the sun has set on McNabb.

I don't think he will be starting next year anywhere, I think the best he's going to do is a backup QB.

I dunno. I think either the Bears or the Texans could benefit a lot from landing McNabb. Yeah, his past two years haven't been stellar but look at the systems that he has been in. I think he could pull off one more last hurrah with a team like Houston or Chicago, maybe lead them deep into the playoffs and then retire on a high note.

 

[Erzengel]

Ha, I missed the Chargers kicker, Novak taking a whiz on the sidelines. I'd post the youtube video but I don't know how harsh SHH rules are.

 

[Poeman]

I'd imagine he would like to go to either of those teams...I imagine Bears will get him.

Lovie Smith will be all over this

 

[Erzengel]

I dunno. I think either the Bears or the Texans could benefit a lot from landing McNabb. Yeah, his past two years haven't been stellar but look at the systems that he has been in. I think he could pull off one more last hurrah with a team like Houston or Chicago, maybe lead them deep into the playoffs and then retire on a high note.

Just he's had 2 chances to excel in Washington and Minnesota. How many last hurrahs is anyone going to give him unless there's a ton of QB injuries?

 

[Matt]

Just he's had 2 chances to excel in Washington and Minnesota. How many last hurrahs is anyone going to give him unless there's a ton of QB injuries?

Well, like you said....unless there's a ton of QB injuries. There are. Right now there are 7 or 8 teams with injured starting QBs.

 

[Erzengel]

I should have clarified, starting Week 1 next year.

 

[Matt]

I should have clarified, starting Week 1 next year.

Ah, right, definitely. I think this will be his last year as anything more than starter. Now if he wants to be a high end backup, fine. I think he could fit very nicely behind Cam Newton in Carolina and being as the two have similar styles of play he could make a tremendous mentor for young Newton. But I think if Chicago or Houston picks him up and he leads them to a decent playoff run, he should just call it quits and go out on a high note.

 

[steintym]

So the Vikes are planning to release McNabb.

I'm guessing a team with playoff hopes that is currently starting a backup QB will pick him up. He might be close to finished, but he's probably still better than some of the guys you see starting right now. I'm thinking the Bears go after him.

When last we saw McNabb he was playing some horrible football, but ... I think I'd take my chances with him over Hanie.

I wouldn't mind taking a flyer on McNabb for the rest of the year.

 

[The Incredible Hulk]

Watch the Colts claim him just to c*** block the Texans....

 

[Raiden]

Not this team. This team has been dead set on 0-16 ever since September, and I don’t think anyone in Indy cares because A) The season was lost from the get-go, and B) ANDREW LUCK! So marvel at this team for the next five weeks. We may never see a team this bereft of leadership again.

That's why I'd love to see Andrew Luck staying at Stanford for the last year of his eligibility, and see the collective jaws of the entire Colts organization & their fans fall to the ground because their carefully-laid plan to get Luck by going 0-16 went up in smoke. That'd be the biggest punchline in the history of NFL.

 

[Rowsdower!]

That's why I'd love to see Andrew Luck staying at Stanford for the last year of his eligibility, and see the collective jaws of the entire Colts organization & their fans fall to the ground because their carefully-laid plan to get Luck by going 0-16 went up in smoke. That'd be the biggest punchline in the history of NFL.

You're right, that would be hilarious. t:

But then of course, we'd have to endure another year of listening to analysts go on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on about how Andrew Luck is the greatest draft prospect in the history of the NFL and will win 27 Super Bowls in his 40-year NFL career.

 

[Dr. Evil]

Also, for all those who have laughed at the sheer ineptitude of the entire Colts organization (and also for Detroit fans who have been longing for the day when a team would emerge to be worst than the 2008 Lions), here's a treat:

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/sports/0-11-Colts-Vs-0-16-Lions-WHO-IS-THE-WORSTEST-134754553.html

The Colts Are the Worst Team in NFL History



This is the worst team in NFL history. Even worse than the 2008 Lions.


At least those Lions made a concerted effort to NOT go 0-16. In fact, they were a cheap Bernard Berrian PI call away from going 1-15. They were desperate to avoid the mark and, as a consequence, I think we all felt kinda bad for them when that last chance to win slipped away.


Not this team. This team has been dead set on 0-16 ever since September, and I don’t think anyone in Indy cares because A) The season was lost from the get-go, and B) ANDREW LUCK! So marvel at this team for the next five weeks. We may never see a team this bereft of leadership again.

That's what happens when you build a team around one player and never thought of even creating a "Plan B" in case that one player went down with an injury. Jim Irsay and Bill Polian never thought this through.

 

[Raiden]

That's what happens when you build a team around one player and never thought of even creating a "Plan B" in case that one player went down with an injury. Jim Irsay and Bill Polian never thought this through.

I think they got spoiled by that Super Bowl title under Manning and thought that they can just keep doing this until he turns 40.

 

[Matt]

So assuming that Caldwell gets fired (I'm not sure that he will, but let's just assume), who replaces him? I think it has to be a defensive minded coach because the offense belongs entirely to Peyton (and I refuse to believe that Polian is giving up on his golden boy, especially after the positive medical report he received yesterday). So let's rule out offensive coaches like Jay Gruden, Rob Chudzinski and Russ Grimm (there is two offensive coaches that I will consider but more on that later).

Back to defensive coaches. When I think DC turned head coach, first name that comes to mind is Rob Ryan and I don't think well would mesh well because it will never be his team. It will be Peyton's. Same with other high profile coordinators who either want a shot at head coaching like Mike Zimmer or Mike Pettine or want another chance in the spotlight like Gregg William or Romeo Crennell.

By that same logic, we can rule out the usual suspects of high profile "retired," coaches like Bill Cowher, Jeff Fisher, Jon Gruden, and Brian Bellick. All of these men are far too high in demand to accept a job where they will play second fiddle to a player.

So, here are the names that come to mind for me:

Most Likely - Perry Fewell Perry is a guy who is basically the safe bet. He is a perfectly conventional defensive play caller (which Polian will love). He has a lot more energy and fire than Dungy and Caldwell combined which I think will excite fans but he also doesn't have it in him to really ruffle Peyton's feathers. In other words, he will give the illusion of change while being more of the same. Beyond that, Fewell in recent years has become Mr. Rooney Rule (even more so than Tony Dungy). If you're an owner who has already made up his mind on your next HC and want to interview a minority for the job with no really intention of hiring him, you call Perry Fewell! Having the carrot dangled in front of him for so long has left Fewell hungry. I think he'll accept being Peyton's number two just to get a shot at being HC again. Beyond that, his stock his dropped a lot in the past couple of years so I don't think he'll get a better offer.

Runner-Up - Mike Nolan Granted, he has been a total embarrassment in Miami and his head coach record is abysmal but I think that works in his favor here. He is a guy who can manage a clock and call the defensive plays while Peyton does the rest and he doesn't really have the clout to challenge Peyton. He's a fairly competent as a DC, which is what he would be for all intents and purposes.

Second Runner-up - A no-name One of the new, young, not quite as hot DCs in the league or even position coaches. Carnell Lake has been doing really well in Pittsburgh. Vic Fangio's San Fran defense has done tremendous making him a possibility. Dennis Allen's defense in Denver has been keeping Tebow in games. The advantages to hiring someone like this is that they aren't yet established enough to have any other prospects so they will take the job and fall in line behind Peyton. The downside is, they've not been coordinating very long (if at all) so their experience is limited which could come back to haunt them in issues like handling personnel or clock management. Plus, this is the same way Caldwell got the job. Just a puppet no-name who was hand picked by Peyton and fell apart when Peyton couldn't pull the strings. I don't think the fans will take kindly to that.

Dark Horse 1 - Bruce Arians The first of my dark horses. Arians was Peyton's first professional coach. He is a close friend of the Manning family, so I wouldn't be surprised for him to be one of Peyton's top choices. Beyond that, he has been Roethlisberger's puppet for years, so following a QB's orders is nothing new to him. He doesn't really have any other prospects in the NFL (as he is notorious around the league for ****** play calling). The downside of going this route is that they better have a tremendous DC on hand to fix the mess that is Indy's defense.

Dark Horse 2 - Jim Tressel I've personally wondered if the Colts were bringing Tressel into some no show job in order to prepare for the post-Manning era. Tressel is if nothing else, good with young talent and if they want someone to really groom Luck, you can't find a better offensive mind than Tressel. I think Tressel's recent fallout in the NCAA limits his options (he's won national championships and he's been seriously thrown around as a candidate for Akron...f***ing Akron!). So with so few options and player friendly style, I could see him getting in line behind Manning until it is time to pass the torch at which time he and his new protege Andrew Luck could take the reigns.

Those are my thoughts on the future of the Colts, what are yours?

 

[Raiden]

I think Mike Nolan may have the best shot to be the next HC of Colts. He's actually doing well as a DC this season and he did have some experiences, so I think he has a better chance than other candidates.

 

[kane9321]

mike nolan...is a terrible choice for any head coaching job....us 49er fans know this all to well. He doesnt have any idea how to gameplan and hes a qb killer...indy get andrew luck...and get defense. A soda machine is a better hc than no win

 

[kane9321]

jesus h christ eagles...tackle

 

[enterthemadness]

Seattle is gonna ROUT. The. Eagles.

 

[Matt]

mike nolan...is a terrible choice for any head coaching job....us 49er fans know this all to well. He doesnt have any idea how to gameplan and hes a qb killer...indy get andrew luck...and get defense. A soda machine is a better hc than no win

The thing is, all he'd have to do is plan a defense. Nolan can plan for defense and manage a clock. Peyton will take care of the rest.

 

[Matt]

I love Kurt Warner's interviews. He makes it all about himself. Donovan is trying to get a word in and he just can't.

 

[Donut]

Will the users who picked the Eagles to win in Hype Pick'em please step up

 

[Immortalfire]

I flipped a coin. Twice. Eagles both times.

Like San Diego, I don't think I'll be picking them again this year.

 

[Matt]

You know, I really don't see this as a fluke. Marshawn Lynch has been playing like a Pro Bowler. It takes a lot of the pressure off of Seattle's passing attack and defense.