Now, Singletary
Posted: January 29, 2007 @ 7:06 pm
The Cowboys will interview 49ers assistant head coach/defense Mike Singletary for their head coaching position.
While this comes late in the process, don’t discount the former Baylor Bear and Chicago Bears’ ability to make an impression. He was a finalist for the Atlanta Falcons’ head coaching vacancy that Bobby Petrino filled.
There has been speculation that Singletary’s interview will take place to satisfy the Rooney Rule, which requires all NFL teams with head coaching openings to interview at least one minority candidate. The Dallas Morning News claims that Todd Bowles interview satisfied the rule.
I believe the club may have other motives. Singletary has unqualified leadership skills and gets a regular hearing with the entire 49ers team. Singletary also has impressive credentials as a position coach. He was an on-field quarterback for Buddy Ryan’s 46 scheme and for Vince Tobin’s more conventional 4-3 in Chicago. He has worked with 3-4 expert Mike Nolan the past few seasons, first at Baltimore and now in San Francisco. He has a breadth of scheme experience.
I believe Jerry Jones may be measuring Singletary’s skills as a defensive coordinator. While he has the title assistant head coach Singletary has yet to lead a defense from the sidelines.
The Cowboys would need permission to hire Singletary for a coordinator’s position, since league rules do not permit lateral appointments. I don’t know the 49ers thinking but a coordinators post would be considered a promotion and teams generally do not block coaches from promotions, regardless of the titles involved.
It’s my turn for conjecture but I’m handicapping the coaching derby this way:
1. Norv Turner is the odds on favorite to become the next Cowboys head coach;
2. Mike Singletary will interview for that job, but will get serious consideration for the DC job, in the same way that Jason Garrett interviewed for the HC spot and was hired as OC.
Photo Credits
Courtesy 49ers.com
Comments
168 Responses to “Now, Singletary”
1st
sound analysis,
its possible turner pushed him and maybe said that would be his choice. The question is, JJ will you need to interview all my choices?
Raf, interesting points and insights. I beginning to believe this time of year is more interesting for you running a blog with all the hoopla going on. You seem to be on top of it all.
If he is interviewing for the DC (the same conclusion I read when I heard the news), it ties all the loose ends up and certainly points to Turner being the favorite for the HC.
This makes me a little more comfortable with Norv.
If Norv could come as HC and Singletary could come as DC, then Jerry Jones has definitely proven his wisdom to me…I think that Singletary ( like Jerry perceves Garrett) is the kind of person (coach) you want to have with your team…He would be an excellent DC, and mark my words…he will be an excellent HC for someone…I for one hope it is for the dallas Cowboys. No one will push him around…
oops, DALLAS
My biggest concern is who runs personel, free agency, and the draft.
Under Parcells, there was a definitive plan and type of player that was required for the scheme.
The Cowboys need to continue the philosophy at the very least. Even if they change back to the 4-3. The entire organization needs to be on the same page trying to add talent to fit its scheme.
I’d like for the Cowboys to continue with the 3-4 being that they have a number of players enetering their 2nd and 3rd years in the system.
I’m not confidant with Jerry’s ability to evaluate talent nor his ability to pick players based on the scheme.
I was not always happy with Parcells X’s and O’s, in fact, I think it would improve under Turner offensively but I am worried about player personell.
Rafael hit it on the head. Jeff Ireland may be the most important part of this whole thing.
IMO the TEAM’s health and well-being revolves around:
1. Player Personell (Free Agency & Draft)
2. Head Coach
3. Coordinators
I wonder who made the decisions to give BJames, A.Ayodele, and R.Williams all big contracts. Im not so sure I would have given all of them the contracts that they received.
Singletary running the defense and Garrett the offense dont sound bad and JG can definitely learn a lot from Norv for the future too. I may be coming in from the ledge.
Turner and Singletary both coached the “much more talented†South team at the senior bowl to a 27-0 loss right?
BP seems to have had a lot of confidence in Ireland. If he sticks around, and is let to do his job, i think it will be ok
Raf,
Now that would make sense! .. As long as Dallas gets the young defensive coach with expirence in the 3-4, I think I’d be happy. Still wish Jerry would give Rob Ryan a look.
I like it:
HC - Norv Turner
DC - Mike Singletary
OC - Jason Garrett
Bring on:
Kicking Coach - Steve Hoffman
ST - Joe Avezzano
Singletary is versed in the 3-4 and 4-3. The coaches get to evaluate their players, the draft and free agency before opting for either version - or both! Dallas could use both schemes to their advantage, depending on their opponents and individual match-ups.
TO is not a sure thing to stay on board. JJ doesn’t need to make a decision until June. By then, he’ll know what he got in the draft and in FA - and TO will have had his 2nd surgery.
Dallas also has possible trade bait with Ayodele & Julius Jones, and a lot of cap space. The Boys can be very, very agressive in the draft & FA. This is going to be a wild and exciting off-season.
That arrangement would get my vote as long as Singletary is also a good game planner and strategist and I’ll bet he is.
Anybody remember the hit he put on our QB at the time,Steve Pelluer? I’ll bet Pelluer still feels that one.
Luke-
I never heard that the South were more talented.
I did hear that the South was considered faster while the North was considered Bigger.
Jerry has said that he would remain with the 3-4 after Parcells leaves. It does sem to be up in the air now. It is a big questioned that I’d like an answer to.
Norv had conditions. I wonder if any of those revolved around player personell, scouting, or defensive scheme?
I wouldn’t be against seeing Singletary as the Head Coach, but he’s relatively young and would be someone you’d want to have as a Head Coach long term. I can’t see that happening because Jones has made it clear that is his intention for Garret. It would make sense for him to be the DC. He’d probably only last a season or two as a DC because if he’s successful,another team will scoop him up. Maybe this is buying a year or two until Bowles is ready for the DC position?
Parcells was definitely a big plus over Jerry’s draft, but I really feel there was plenty of room for improvement.
Julius Jones and Marcus Spears no longer appear to be a big boom over just Steve Jackson. Jackson would give us 3 bonafide stars on Offense with Romo coming up to possibly 4.
Bruce Thornton?
Stephen Peterman?
Jacob Rogers?
Al Johnson?
Kevin Burnett?
All first day guys that we whiffed on. The big benefit was late round and undrafted guys. I think that falls more under player development than having a superstar personnel guy.
As long as there is a definitive plan on layer personel and the cheif evaluator of the talent has considerable power, Im ok with whomever the head coach is.
There seems to me to be a lot of DE/LB hybrid talent in this year draft. There are guys that could end up in the 3rd and 4rth that could be decent rotatinal and back up guys.
samiam,
thornton went in the 4th round i believe.
the three lineman were the nemesis of what was otherwise a pretty solid day 1 record over the last 4 years. it would have been stellar if we would have hit on one of those guys.
what is wrong with kevin burnett?
keep in mind also that ireland and the revamped scouting dept wasnt there over the last four years.
as to JJ and steven jackson, their yard per carry average is not that much different. jackson had a stellar year receiving (really his first stellar year at all), but JJ’s receiving ave is better and that leads me to believe we should have thrown to him more.
spears may yet be the full force he can be, keep in mind he played the run quite well this year.
nothing ive seen to date convinces me that is a bad move. the three olineman are a better argument for questionable day 1 drafting.
IMO, upgrade the Oline in FA and finish off the defense in the draft.
Ideally, I’d like to see us resign Gurode long term and Columbo for a year then sign Eric Steinback in Free Agency
This leaves us potential OT
Adams, Columbo, McQuistan (Steinbach)
and OG
Kosier, Rivera, Proctor, (Steinbach)
Gurode
We’d still need to add a backup Center preferably one that can also play OG.
Hopefully, McQuistan becomes starting material and takes over for Adams or Columbo. Steinbach is the wild card as he could possibly start as a Right Tackle or Gaurd. After the Tackles are set, we decide on the best two Gaurds. Gurode plays center unless someone else comes on board allowing Gurode to enter the Gaurd mix. If we add in Free Agency, it will not be a must to draft Oline on the first day unless someone falls to us in the right spot (Levi Brown, Joe Staley, Ben Grubbs, Ryan Kahlil)
I think we must land a top FS or corner in this draft. Not only does a cover FS help that position but allows for the TEAM to get more out of Williams. Its a 2 for 1
donnyposner - you can just ignore Luke’s comment…there’s been an “imposter” on the site recently who has been using names of some of the regulars but he adds a period “.” after the name so as not to be noticed. He likes to type comments to get people riled up. He’s most likely a skins fan. He most likely molests sheep.
How much can a rookie FS be an improvement. I think the solution may be through FA. a guy like Ken Hamlin, Seattle. Watkins can still develop. And draft OL in the 1st.
or WR in 1st and OL in the 2nd. perhaps WR Sidney Rice, South Carolina rd 1 and Tony Ugoh OT Arkansas rd 2?
itrustintuna
the answer is no on Hamlin. I live in Seattle and have watched him play. Same type of player as Roy, you need someone to compliment him not play the same. And after the watching the video tape of him the night when he got his skull cracked shows he doesn’t use sound judgement. You don’t chase, I repeat chase after 5-6 guys pulling away from the bouncer and your girlfriend while leaving your 300 lb d line friends inside.
donnyposner
I agree shore up the line in FA. I think Steinbach is a versatile quality pick up. You know what you’re getting and he still has years to play.
There are a few DE that would be good in the 3-4 as OLB’s; Abiamiri, Spencer, Woodley and Moses to name a few. One of those four will be available in the 2nd round and pick and draft a free saftey in the first.
If Norv brings Mike along then I like the deal. Experience with te 4-3 3-4 and 46. This could be the coaching move that makes Dallas the team to emulate in the NFC kinda like the Patriots in the AFC.
itrustintuna,
Time to change your handle. The tuna has left the building.How about itrustinjerry?
BTW I agree, if we can get a good, solid veteran at FS that will take a lot of pressure off of the rest of our defense.
is is possible for Singletary to come here only as a D.C.? I thought that would be a lateral move and was not allowed? It is possible he really is interviewing for H.C.?
I think DC is higher than assistant HC/ defense
I think you weigh who’s available in the first 3 rounds when it’s your turn to pick. If value and need match, great - the selection is easy. If the two don’t match then you either take BPA or look to trade. I think you draft for position depth later in the draft.
I really don’t believe that Mike Singletary’s visit to Valley Ranch tomorrow is about being a HC candidate. If that is his belief as to why he is coming, then … shame on Jerry! Singletary just doesn’t have the experience to be a head coach (nor does JG) in the NFL. If (within the rules) it’s OK to hire him as DC and, assuming this is something suggested by Norv Turner and NT becomes our head coach, then I can see MS as our defensive coordinator.
If Singletary should assume a prominent role as DC with the Cowboys, it would just about be the ultimate of ironies.
I have always felt that Singletary was the most visible victim (and our most visible loss) of Tex Schramm’s “Sonny Gibbs” rule. That rule has invariably led to far more native Texans playing for the Redskins than for the Cowboys and no telling how many “misses” in our drafts!
Dan Reeves
Expand on the ” Sonny Gibbs ” rule
I’ve never heard of it.
Singletary is interesting - he was the heart and soul of that Bears D. (and had the scariest eyes I’ve ever seen in a helmet - although that might have been due to his contacts!).
He could add some of the toughness and discipline that I think Turner/Garrett lack - and this team desperately needs.
This team was very “un-Parcells” like; sloppy, couldn’t hold a lead, faded at the end of the season, silly mistakes, high penalty count. To me this came down to a young team with insuffient discipline.
Grandfather Parcells just wasn’t the fiery/feared disciplinarian he was in his early days.
While I still prefer Philips, Singletary makes Turner stronger….
keystonetom:
Around 1963-1964, Sonny Gibbs was a 6-5 quarteback at TCU who “shocked” Darrell Royals’ Longhorns and kept them from an unbeaten season (and thereby gaining an immense about interest in the DFW area). Around this time, the Cowboys were still trying to figure out ways to sell tickets in the Cotton Bowl. By their own (and Schramm’s admission), they were a little carried away when they made him their number 1 draft pick (believing he had talent and, being a local boy, could help sell tickets). Early in camp, it became obvious that they had made a horrendous mistake (punch up Sonny Gibbs on Google). Tex Schramm was mortified by this mistake and forever after, made it the Cowboys’ draft policy to not draft players from Texas in the higher rounds unless they were “really, really sure” that they were the real deal, i.e. they had to be clearly better than another player they might be considering. They did draft Duane Thomas, knowing he was a nutcase, but also knew that he was an incredible talent. Look how that panned out. Other than that choice, they have been hesitant to pick Texans in the early rounds in the belief that they might be looking at Texas players “with rose-colored glasses”. Singletary went to the Bears in the second round. Like I said, there is probably no telling how many picks the Cowboys missed because of their fear in duplicating the Sonny Gibbs pick.
I haven’t been reading all the threads lately, but what have you guys been smoking? Did you guys forget about that Norv was the coach of the Deadskins for a number of years? Check that, he was the CRAPPY coach of the Deadskins. He had a billion years to prove his worth and couldn’t do it. This was before and after the moron Snyder took over. Lets not even talk about his time with the Raiders, although I think anyone would fail with that one.
I hate to rain on the lovefest, but let me go on record to predict that hiring Norv would be a huge mistake. The second biggest mistake would be to ditch the 3-4 defense and go back to the 4-3 now that we have the personnel. This time next year we will be calling for Norv’s head. Hey, maybe we can have Cowher next year. Norv is a crappy head coach, and we will pay for it if we hire him.
Boy from Oz,
I have to disagree. I thought Singletary DID have the scariest eyes, until I saw Reche Caldwell in the Indy NE game.
Dan Reeves,
Add Shaun Rogers to the “Sonny Gibbs” rule. Anyone remember that we took Quincy Carter and that fs from Alabama while he was still on the board?
keystonetom:
Make that “6-7″ for Sonny Gibbs and maybe a year or two earlier.
Bluecheese:
I don’t know that the Cowboys have actually followed Schramm’s “Sonny Gibbs rule” after he left in 1989. Sometimes, you just make bad choices!
Dan Reeves
Wow that is one helluva story. I can see Tex doing that. I wonder if Gil Brandt had to fight that rule in his heyday.
BlueCheese
I dont see a love fest here. We see the way it’s heading and we’re hoping for the best. I’m sure the Patriot fans hated the Belichik move
because he stunk in Cleveland. How’d that turn out?
How long did Belichik coach in Cleveland? I honestly don’t know. I know that Norva was in Washington for 7-8 years. Plenty of time to bring a team around, and he couldn’t do it. For whatever reason, he didn’t do it in Oakland either. If we are going to bat with a guy who already has two strikes against him, my bet is that he strikes out.
Blitz,
No doubt about it, Reche Caldwell has the most freakish eyes ive ever seen. Its amazing he ever drops a pass with eyes like that.
Maybe we should try Buddy Ryan or Jerry Glanville. They were crappy head coaches, but maybe, just maybe this time they will be better.
Maybe we can get Jeff George to be our qb. I swear, this time it will be different.
Bluecheese,
You sound like Rip van Winkle. Two days ago we were all on the ledge and the sky was falling. As the Turner train picked up speed we figured we all just get on board. Welcome back.
Reche Caldwell looked like the crack heads that come into my hospital at 6am on Sunday.
Im not getting on the Turner train until its pulling out the station. I want a DC as our head coach. Every super bowl the Cowboys have won come from a HC that cut his teeth on the defensive side of the ball. Instead of going back with old players lets go back with old successes.
All this waiting and wondering is killing me!
I kind of like the idea of Norv as HC, Jason as OC and Mike as DC. We’ll see.
I’d still rather have a 3-4 guru as HC like Phillips or Ryan.
BUT
I’ll commend Jerry for a job well done if SIngleton comes with Turner, the Cowboys remain with the 3-4, and Jerry listens to Jeff Ireland on personel decisions
I am most worried about the peronal decisions.
Does anyone know what Ireland was doing before he was a scout for the Cowboys?
Is it certain he will continue wit the Cowboys?
Will Jerry listen to him?
Sorry guys. I love the ‘Boys and always will, but I won’t be a Norv believer until he delivers a Super Bowl. Also, remember this: the NFC East remembers Norv. We hire him, we will be the laughing stock of the division. They all knew that he was a crappy head coach.
By the way, Jerry may have made his decision inevitable by hiring Jason Garrett to be the OC before the head coach. Boneheaded move. Any coach worth his salt would want to bring his own guys in. Norv may be the only one okay with having his OC dictated to him, since I will presume that JG is a “Norv” guy.
DanReeves,
You really think Jimmy Johnson, Jerry Jones or Bill Parcells followed the Sonny Gibbs rule? I would think Jerry would do everything opposite Tex just for spite.
In addition, you know that the Oilers used a reverse Sonny Gibbs rule, drafting every good Texas or Southwest Conference player they could find in the ’60s and ’70s.
And look how they turned out.
for some reason singletary on board i feel better about norva(lol) to how ever said that first!
Itrustintuna,
Don’t hold your breath, but you may just have to change your handle to Itrustinnorv. LOL
I kinda like Norv Turner as OC of 49ers
Whats everyone’s take on th Cowboys most recent personel moves-
Here are my opinions
RWilliams- Down
Witten- Good
B.James-Down
K. Kosier- To Early to Tell
AAyodele- To Early To Tell
Vanderjack-Down
I think last years draft will end up paning out after a couple years. Carpenter, Hatcher, Fasano , McQuistan will all end up being significant contributors
The biggest question marks in my opinion were to offer the long term contracts o current players. I’m guessing that this was more Jerry’s doing than Parcells
Raf
Dan didn’t say those guys followed that rule.Back in the days of Tex and Tom Landry in the 60’s and 70’s they did. Besides Dan was playing then, he should know!
How about Phillips as HC, Garrett as OC and Singletary as DC?
Then it would be; itrustinwade
or itrustinbumsson
What if they really hired JG to be back-up QB to Romo in hopes that Romo plays like Aikman with JG holding the clipboard once more?
Sorry, I couldn’t help myself on that one!
Keystonetom,
It would be more like ItrustinSOB(Son of Bum) LOL
I do NOT think that Singletary will be our next DC. I caught on the radio tonight that folks at the Super Bowl were talking trash about Jerry not interviewing a minority. Folks thought the Bowles interview was a joke and advised Jerry to interview one more minority. I still bet Campo will be DC and by Wednesday afternoon we will all know that Norv is HC.
The past drafts now take on a different dimension with Bill gone. Fasano may become useless in a true fullback I Set. His value was as a 2nd TE who was a roving piece moved around the line and backfield to block. It could be that under a new offensive scheme he’s rendered valueless. he’s no offensive threat with his hands or feet. That 2nd round pick could be flirting with bust status.
Might Hatcher be too big for a 4-3 DE, and too rangy and light for DT, and how useful is he on the roster anyhow with Ellis and Ware both with their hands down?
Can Carpenter spend all afternoon successfully chasing RBs and TEs in their patterns?
A truly visionary DC might use this mixture of unique talent to build the next generation of defense. Or at least play a flamboyantly flexible brand of defense that is as effective on one down as a 4-3 as they are the next down as a 3-4.
I think Jerry should keep it all in the family.
HC - Jerry Jones
OC - Stephen Jones
DC - Jerry Jones Jr.
not endorsing any of those right now, but how bout im_ok_with_norv_for_now , lol
Donny, I think last years draft could go down as 1 of our best ever. Fasano, Hatcher, And carpenter were first day picks and I felt that each of them showed flashes of exellence. Skylar is gone but But Watkins started 10 games and McQuistan lookeed good in preseason and BP said he would be comfortable starting him. If McQuistan can play in a pro bowl or 2 as well as 1st day picks too then this class will grade out high. Didnt Austin and Hurd come with this class. That could bump it higher if one of them pans out. I agree with you on our signings but want to hold out on Williams. I hope when our D matures that we can put him back to doing his strengths.
Joey2zs,
I don’t think they will abandon the 3-4 defense altogether, but I also didn’t think Parcells would retire either, so I’m not holding my breath!
Joey, I felt Fasano showed alot of promise and any OC worth his salt can run a 2 TE system. Hoyt was our true FB. Fasano blocking improved though out the year and caught a few balls on a team loaded with recievers. If you can rush the passer in the NFL they will find a place for you to play. Hatcher should make it in either D.
Joey2zs,
Fasano perhaps less valuable, though Norv does use lots of two TE sets. Hoyte increases even more in value since a good FB is fundamental to Norv’s base sets.
Why would Hatcher be too big to play 4-3 end? Was Reggie White too big at 305 lbs? If you can rush, who cares what your weight is?.
Carpenter is probably the best coverage LB on the team right now. Why is he suddenly a liability?
http://www.cowboysplus.com/buzzbar/stories/013007cptaylorbuzz.31994e52.html
Pretty funny.
Asst HC -TO
Joey great questions.Rergardless of the limitations you point out, those players may have to adjust to a new scheme or they are traded or released. Thats the price of progress.
With regards to Carpenter he showed flashes of great athleticism, that he can cover downfield.
Itrustintuna,
im_ok_with_norv_for_now is a good choice, because if he stinks up the joint you can always change it to im_NOT_ok_with_norv_for_now and change back and forth as the season goes, which would be every other week based on our win, lose, win, lose pattern in 2006! LOL Let’s hope that’s not the case in 2007.
JJT gets worse instead of better. Give Jerry his due, Parcells actually likes him. That’s a strong plus in Jerry’s favor.I think Jerry earned Bill’s respect.
Don’t get me wrong. I love Carpenter. You could see him get better not only from week to week, but it seemed through the games themselves. If you play Madden, he’s like the player who’s point rating skyrockets through the season because you can cheat the game a little bit.
He got used to the speed, understood his responsibilities, and plays at 120mph with total commitment. He’s a born linebacker and he’s Big Time. But, I was just wondering if he’s kinda big to play 45 snaps in coverage. He’s 50 lbs heavier than Cato June.
Also, this shows my ignorance of his duties in the 3-4 set. Because now that I think of it, Ware is always going to be the rusher, and therefore Carpenter probably had to read and react in coverage more.
defense defense defense
you can move Ware around as either DE or OLB depending on the situation. Put Canty and Hatcher as ends and have Ware, Burnett (olb) and Carpenter(middle) as linebackers. You have beef to stop the run and collapse the pocket and a very speedy group of linebackers. There is the size and talent to bounce between whatever defense you want 3-4 4-3 46 hell why not even a 3-3-5. All it takes is the right coaches and players with the aptitude to learn. That’s what makes the Pats good is defensive player flexibility based on the players skill and knowledge.
For that reason I want to see Singletary as at least the defensive coordinator.
Is Singletary becoming coordinator a lateral move or not.
I would think Singletary becoming a DC is a promotion from Asst. HC/Defense.
I think that’s my point, Lamonte. If you bring in a coach that represents a single, particular system. He’s going to want the prototype guy to man the prototype position that fits what he learned from Don Coryell or Buddy Ryan or Bronco Nagursky or whoever.
If a DC arrives who needs speedy 235lb OLBs to execute his schemes, well, the only guys that size on the team are MBIII and Roy Williams.
Can young offensive linemen learn zone blocking? Can old dogs like Rivera adapt to zone blocking? Can the offense execute screen passes? Can TO do anything he’s told? Is Gurode capable of correctly calling out new kinds line calls?
does anyone know what actually goes on in these interviews. do they give a presentation to the owner about there scheme and how the personel fit or dont fit and how they dont fit???
Ok Raf you mentioned Norv uses a full back. I like Hoyte as a goal line MB, but not a pass receiver or runner. some of his blocks were smashing and some wiffs. What do you think of drafting an HB weapon like Brian Leonard.
His blocking would help our O line. Also since Romo scrambles and tries to make plays out of nothing, and checks down so much he could use a saftey valve like Leonard allot. I think he will remind Norv of the Moose.
totallforhall: Good question. I’d like to know myself.
Please!!!! Not Norv. Give Denny one more try instead.
Singletary is interesting. As far as experience go, I recommend bloggers look up one Tom Landry when he was hired as the Head Coach of the expansion Dallas Cowboys.
Mike’s a defensive minded coach, but he always had that cerebral approach to football and those eyes. Listen to him speak and talk though……he sounds a lot more like a Head Coach than Norv.
Now I have said Norv is a viable candidate and believe he would not be as bad as some have said.
However, one of the traits of a good head coach…..especially now in the FA and cap era……the ability to teach and train young talent and then sign that talent at the appropriate time. Also bring talent to the team……
it is the closest thing to the college recruiter going to the living room and closing the kid and family on the University.
It ain’t always about the money. You can get players to play and stay……but I see that more out of a guy like Parcells, Belichek and honestly Singletary with the Defensive side of the ball.
I like Mike. He and Garret are similar except Mike is older and his experience is on the opposite side of the ball.
How about this……Mike as HC…..Norv as OC and Asst HC…..Garret QB and Passing game Coach…..
Bowles DC……..Campo as secondary coach…….Bowles, Campo and Mike evaluate the talent and come up with the best scheme. This team can play either right now……and is an injury to Ferguson away from being a 4-3 only team. Who knows maybe Singletary gives us the best option of all the Ds available……46, 4-3 and 3-4.
I just know this, Mike’s pressers would be better than Nasal Norv. You know some of Lovie’s Smiths success and Dungy’s is just there calmness during the game. It reminds me of Landry really. I see Mike Singletary as that same type of coach. Never let them see you get excited.
I hope he gets every opportunity at the HC position.
I want to throw one more option in there at DC or on the staff at any rate. Jim Burt. One of our best games of the year was with Jim on the sidelines. Why not continue it. D Line coach maybe?
I hadn’t thought of it before but Norv suggested Dave Campo for the 49ers Dc job and they interviewed him even though they run a 3-4.
Were they considering hiring Campo as a 3-4 coordinator?
Interesting little snippet by Romo on Parcells in a interview with King.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/peter_king/01/28/mmqb/1.html
I have tremendous confidence he can be “the guy”. Probably not a superstar like Manning (P not E) but in the top 5-10 QB’s in the league - which should be good enough for a SB if the defence performs.
The “ripper wannabe” (sorry rafael, ripper alone sounds too cool), better known as JJT of the DMN, has now called for JJ to coach the team.
Any why not, he says. JJ has picked the OC, apparently he has picked the DC (if JJT’s sources at the ranch are accurate), and he has apparently told TO he is staying, regardless of his finger’s status. He stands on the sidelines at games, why not just name himself the HC?
Oh JJT, you and your colleagues would be so lucky.
Actually, JJT pushed this theme about 5 years ago, in the midst of the campo days and the JJ running the draft debacle. Back then, it made more sense.
Do you all remember erik williams? He decided one year that he just didnt want to attend training camp. this, of course, would have been unacceptable to just about any NFL coach, let alone owner. there was nothing wrong with “big E,” he just didnt want to go through two a days in the heat. Campo undoubtedly was pissed, but JJ ran the show, and JJ was cool with it. Big E was one of his guys, he played hard on a SB team. he had “paid his dues.”
It wasnt real hard for the team to figure out that JJ called the shots and that campo was little more than a figurehead. Sure he gameplanned, but he wasnt an enforcer in any way. Guys, especially the stars, could bypass the coach any time they wanted if there was a problem and take it to JJ’s office.
No wonder campo looked lost and little interested at the end. no coach can expect success under such circumstances. Blame JJ? sure. But i also blame campo for accepting the job under such circumstances, and i blame any future HC that accepts the job now w/o making it clear that they wont coach for an owner that cuts their legs out. Thats why i was most encouraged by phillip’s exit interview, where he mentioned that he had put it on the table where HE was coming from.
JJ has screwed the pooch in the past, but that was a long time ago, and there are simply no indicators, yet, that those days are back.
Lets watch where this HC and assistants hiring process goes. Watch the FA period, and the draft. Lets see where they go. Watch training camp and the injury report. These are the things that will tell us how JJ will play it, and if he has a REAL HC at the helm.
The ripper wannabe ends his latest with an interesting final point for his case that JJ should name himself coach:
“The Cowboys haven’t won a playoff game in 10 years. Surely Jerry couldn’t do any worse, could he?”
Get this through your head JJT, there are no guarantees in this world, especially in the NFL. Even if St Jimmy himself came back and was given carte blanche by JJ, there would be NO guarantees. Just ask the dolphins.
Ask yourself bloggers, what is the difference between losing in the WC round, and losing in the Div round? Not much i say, if any.
“Winning a playoff game” seems to be some arbitrary gauge of success established by the mediots to prove some point, Im not sure what. The goal is to win a SB. who cares if you won a playoff game before getting eliminated. The skins did that last year, and……
On the Rooney Rule, this from the DMN article on singletary:
“According to NFL vice president Greg Aiello, the Cowboys’ interview of Bowles satisfied the obligation. Aiello said there is no distinction in the rule regarding whether a candidate is already on staff or outside the organization.”
Singletary was considered for the HC job in Atlanta. But the talk was that he was more of a motivator and less of an X’s and O’s guy. This may work for a HC but a DC needs to be an X’s and O’s guy.
Anybody know differently about him?
Jarhead,Very good points and very well said. Playoff success is a good barometer for your as a team but not the only one. The developement of your players and their knowledge of the system is important. Did you win the right way or did you get lucky. I use the analogy of a QB throwing in to triple coverage, even if the WR scored a touchdown you know thats not right and you know you cant win consistently doing it. I felt and stated on here that if we lost to Seattle it would set us back years because of the psycological impact of a late season collapse. After watching us play and how hard we competed and watching some of the young players step up and then losing the way we did Ive changed my opinion and felt this was good for us in that it would galvinize us as a team and make them angry and more focused on redemption. I expect to see alot of guys working their ass off this offseason. I think Brady, Williams, Spears and Canty know they have to step up and prove themselves and the clock is ticking on them. I want Phillips or another pure proven 3-4 guy because he can bring an energy and a swagger of unit that knows it going stomp your ass. BP caught lots of flak for not switching things up and fancy schemes and flopping to the 4-3 but in truth he got these guys valuble snaps learning their base D. He stuck to the course that was going to get us to where we needed to be faster. We have paid most of our dues on the 3-4 and are now ready to reap the benefits to change now is what the Cardinals of the world do.
TM,
Can Hoyte catch?
Norv’s FB prototype is obviously Daryl Johnston, who did these things very well:
a. blocked
b. caught the ball
c. played special teams
and this not so well:
d. ran the ball.
Hoyte does a and c very well. I don’t know about b. He caught what, one, two passes this year?
He was converted from ILB about five games into the season. Let’s give him a training camp. The fact that his blocking “causes train wrecks” in the words of a scout I talked to speaks very well for him at this point.
All,
The fact that JJ is talking to Singletary should tell you all something. We all know Jerry respects Norv Turner for grooming Aikman and running the offense that won him two super bowls. Turner probably suggested Singletary to Jerry as a viable D.C. candidate, after all, the 3-4 is all about linebackers and who better to coach them than one of the best of all time? Singletary won’t let Bradie James get away with playing too high anymore. He is a true teacher who will bring much needed attention to detail and fiery intensity to that locker room. It also means that Norv Turner is coming to be the head coach.
I think Turner, Garrett, and Singletary are a phenomenal team. 16-0 and super bowl championship next year baby!
All,
The fact that JJ is talking to Singletary should tell you all something. We all know Jerry respects Norv Turner for grooming Aikman and running the offense that won him two super bowls. Turner probably suggested Singletary to Jerry as a viable D.C. candidate, after all, the 3-4 is all about linebackers and who better to coach them than one of the best of all time? Singletary won’t let Bradie James get away with playing too high anymore. He is a true teacher who will bring much needed attention to detail and fiery intensity to that locker room. It also means that Norv Turner is coming to be the head coach.
I think Turner, Garrett, and Singletary are a phenomenal team. 16-0 and super bowl championship next year baby!
Ahh, how easy to be optimistic when you’re, well, big and rich.
Rich & Big
I hope you are right but 16-0 is a little too much to hope for. How about a playoff win?
I say we put Bowles as DC and Mike S. as head coach! If reading is believing and seeing what I’ve seen of him as a leader on the field, I think he’d be just the coach we need. Respect, charachter, integrity and grit. I think everything will work itself out but I just can’t see any good coming of TO with any mix of coaching we put in there. No way.
Odds:
Turner 35%
Phillips 20%
Gibbs 15%
Singletary 15%
Garrett 10%
Sparano 3%
Bowles 2%
Opinions?
Im out of the coaching prediction business. I do know to be a good head coach you need experience, knowledge, psycology, superior organization skills, vision, stubbornness, and very thick skin. As far as fiery temperment, the 2 head coaches representing the super bowl contenders are calm men who dont curse or yell. Your demeanor only works if your real.
JARHEAD- I agree you could fill in nice as rafs relief.(from threads back)
Norv I have always liked. I think he will do just fine as the boys head coach. Norv, Garrett, and Singletary are young promising coaches. That is all I could ask for. And for god sake hire a special teams coach. It cant be every kicker in the league it has to be the coaching.
Henry is moving to Free Saftey and I think he will be pro - bowl quality at the position. We need a corner to replace him. Watkins will develope and our nickle/dime packages will be really good next year.
I agree that Carpenter will be the bomb next year,
One more thing, Fasono reminds me of moose a whole lot. Could he not be the H-back/Fullback Norv would need? I really am asking for your opinions because I really dont know.
alanTdot -
Your odds would have been okay if it was last Friday but this thing is over. Norv is the next HC and it will be announced by tomorrow afternoon. Singletary is only here to meet with Jerry because folks were talking in Miami about the Bowles interview being only for show. Now, I can see Singletary as the DC but not HC. It makes me wonder why SF does not promote him to DC??? They even brought in Campo last week to interview and everyone knows that Campo has not coached a lot of 3-4. We should all know soon.
It’s all speculation because Jerry has been so silent on all of this. I wonder if he might wait until Monday so he can interview Rivera or has he been ruled out already?
Gray,
It looks like SF doesnt want singletary as their DC. If they did, they would have offerred it to him.
Norm!!
STUPID TONY ROMO SONG….
MY GIANT AND REDSKIN COWORKERS SENT THIS TO ME
http://withleather.com/post.phtml?pk=1997
All this doom and gloom.
Norv would be an excellent choice. There is only one priority…making (or finding) a franchise QB. Norv and Red Ball helped make Troy Aikman.
That’s good enough for me.
Add in Alex Smith and you’ve got a proven winner.
Defense?! We got the horses. They were young and chompin’ at the bit. Whoever is DC (and I pray that it’s Singletary) and that group is one or two players from being great.
Combine the fact that Norv’s been with Singletary this year and his “conditions” probably included getting Singletary as DC (instead of the much anticipated promotion of Bowles) and I think it’s pretty clear. If Singetary interviews well, he’ll be part of your new Cowboys staff:
Head Coach Norv - proven great offensive mind
Red Ball - The fastest rising great new minds
Singletary - Phenomenal motivator, best linebacker ever, great young defensive mind.
Bowles - Another great defensive mind that was going to be DC if BP had stayed
Pasqualoni - experienced LB coach and former HC
etc, etc, etc.
I LIKE this group. A lot.
Ahhh, more optimism.
What will happen when the bullets start flying?
Gray,
looks like the 9ers are gunning for the Sandy Eggo LB coach to be their next DC.
Fighter
Keep posting- we need that optimism.
If we are speculating that JJ is waiting till Monday to talk to Rivera,
why wouldn’t we think that he is making a pitch to an underpaid HC who happens to have taken his team to the SB and is from Big Sandy???
Lovie? Jerry. Jerry? Lovie.
Jarhead,
I’m the eternal optimist…often comparing this team to ‘91 (which I still believe).
We’ve got a boatload of good, young talent on D. Potentially great. Just need a FS. I like the rumored move of Henry to FS and grabbing a shutdown corner like Buffalo’s FA Nate Clements.
Offense is all about the OL and QB. We really need some better talent along the line. Mostly, we need Romo to become the real deal. All other skill players are good to great. Some youth would be nice.
We’re three or four players from being the class of the NFC for years to come.
Fighter,
not argueing with any of that. Talent and execution on the field make coaches look better.
Ill just be looking for the optimism when the chips are down and we drop a couple of games in a row next year.
Read an article about Lovie Smith and his mother had a dream that he was coaching the cowboys.
Fighter,
I am okay with Norv, however the optimism over Singletary seems premature. I agree he appears to be a great motivator, but we need the DC to know schemes, know how to adjust, recognize good players and put them in the correct position.
I haven’t seen anything to prove he can do that. Maybe that’s too much to ask for from anyone, but his pedigree seems relatively weak to me.
We have talent, what I see us lacking is intensity. Everyone plays up for Dallas. The Eagles and Skins hate us and you can see it in their play. I think we have the best team in the division but we don’t seem to have that little fire inside. A young Parcells would have brought us that. That’s the only reason why I liked Jeff Fisher coming to us. His defenses have that attitude. Will Norv or Mike bring us that? I say Mike.
I 100% agree that getting Mike Singletary will be a great addition in any compacity but I especially like him being the DC.
If so, now we habe Turner and Garrett running the offense…WOW !!!
Now we need proven draft evaluator. We missed on Jackson and really missed on Merriman.
We need safety and o-line help to get us over the hump.
Poor Norv just can’t win. Right now he’s being questioned as to whether he’s HC material. Next year at this time he’ll be preparing for the super bowl and everyone will be saying he still sucks, he just got to use BP’s talent to get there.
About the only two things I know about Mike S are:
(1) He was an unstoppable force on Tecmo Bowl.
(2) He is the Asst Head Coach - Defense for SF, not the DC for SF. SF needs a DC. seems reasonable to assume that if a fantastic young defensive mind was displaying his talents every day for the past 2 years just down the hall from your office, your first (and only?) call would be to that fantastic young defensive mind. yet, there go the 49ers looking at others outside the organization for DC. not a ringing endorsement. i would also characterize the articles today in the SF papers about possibly losing Mike S. as not being overwhelmed, as they were with Norv. they were more like, we may lose Mike S, oh well, what are you gonna do.
boyz rule: Merriman, with or without the roids? I’ll take Ware and be happy for the ‘miss’ on Roidsman.
Boy from oz: Let me try to guess what those “four or five things” BP told Romo. 1. No babes on the field 2. Fondle the damn ball before the FGA. 3. Don’t hold the ball low and at arms length when in the pocket. 4. Do throw to the first open guy. 5. Don’t take Bledsoe-time to get rid of the f*&king ball.
I personally put little stock in the ‘Mike will bring intensity to the Cowboys’ argument.
Name one NFL HC who is not a passionate workaholic…it simply comes with the territory. You think PB wasn’t passionate? Look at that first NYGiant post-game interview.
El Berraco brings up a good point, why are the Niners looking outside their own organization to fill the DC position when a young rising star by the name of Mike Singletary is available?
It is the same point I made earlier about Jason Garrett. For all the sizzle, I do not think the Dolphins seriously considered him for the HC position, nor did they promote this young, great mind to OC.
But of course, what do the Niners and Dolphins know…they have only been around these 2 individuals 24/7 for the past couple of years.
Elberraco, unstoppable in techmo bowl huh. Sometimes thats all you need to know.LOL
Apparently Ricky Prohel and Joe Jurevicious have each appeard in 7 of the last 8 Superbowls, representing 3 different teams each.
The key is NOT who coaches the Cowboys. The key is having one of these two recievers on our team.
Being a workaholic does not insure that quality work is the outcome. I agree that all NFL coaches are nuts when it comes to putting their nose to the grindstone but you have to agree that there are differences in team “guts”. Compare young BP to old BP or a St. Jimmie coached Boys to anyone else in the league. We used to fold teams through sheer force of will. This years Boys did not have that “edge”. There was no mean and nasty to us except for the Colts game. I’m just saying Mike S. is closer to answering that than Norv would be.
Lovie Smith doesn’t impress me as being a workaholic.
I think great head coaches are good administrators with a great staff behind them
Dear Jerry,
PLEASE eliminate the words Gary Gibbs and Dave Campo from any type of coaching consideration. Once again, just say NO to Gary Gibbs and Dave Campo. Please, for the love of Texas.
imo, the reason garrett wasn’t being considered for oc by the dolphins was maybe they were unsure of his ability to run an nfl offense in only his 3rd year of coaching. he has the smarts(graduated from princeton). but not the experience. we’ll see. you have to take chances and live with the outcome good or bad.
What happened to Pasqualoni? Did I miss something?
keep in mind that garrett was working for a team that had a brand new HC coming on board, probably with another OC in mind.
SF, on the other hand, does not appear at all to see singletary as a potential DC.
So if we hire Norv and Singletary, does that rekindle our rivalry with SF?
As much as I am against the hiring of Norv, if we stole Singletary, I would feel a little better. Having two young (hopefully innovative) coordinators and a lot of talent might put Norv in a position that even he can’t screw it up too badly. But we’ll see about that when the “bullets are flying”, as noted earlier.
Some of you guys are looking at this through very thick rose-colored glasses.
There are 6 teams that made HC changes this season, countless others making staffing changes.
JGarrett was passed over at Miami, Singletary with the Niners (which I agree is a bigger deal). Nobody that I am aware of has considered Norv for a HC job after the Oakland fiasco.
Maybe these guys work out, only time will tell. I do think that PB’s delay hurt us and I believe we will experience a decline in coaching next year. I hope I am wrong, but if you can, talk to knowledgeable ‘Skins fans about Norv Turner.
I think that if the decision has been made on a HC then we’ll have the answer sometime today or tomorrow.
JJ will reportedly fly to miami thursday, and if he does without an announcement, then i’d guess he hasnt made his decision and may even interview other candidates next week.
Im still not jazzed over norv turner. I dont think he is an effective counter-weight to JJ, mainly b/c he doesnt have the reputation and football stature of BP. I could be wrong, but i dont think that norv can keep JJ from “taking over.” Only JJ can keep himself from taking over. Will he do it?
Thats one of a few million dollar questions.
The points about turner’s past failings as a HC cannot be ignored, but some have countered that he never had a chance in DC or Oak. Ill buy that for Oak, but he was in DC for awhile to little or no avail.
The point of belichek and his record with the browns is intriqueing too. What would he have done without the following when he arrived in NE:
-a solid personnel base
-a kicker named vinatarri (Sp?)
-a sound draft during his tenure that included some guy named brady (polian maybe?)
-Some help from the zerbras, namely the “tuck rule,” and, more significant to me, an officiating group in an AFC CS game that essentially decided it was not going to throw a flag on every play and would therefor allow the Pat CBs to maul the colts WRs on every play(im not a colt fan/apologist, but the NFL changed the rules over that game).
So we’re back to square one in the midst of all this speculation:
-Whoever is hired, will JJ sit on his hands?
-Will the scouts continue to make sound recommendations and will the offseasons continue to generate better than average to very good drafts and UFA aquisitions?
-Will tony romo get it done?
-Will we finally get some luck in december and january?
I’ve said it so many times, my two year old daughter says it whenever I’m watching FOX commentary.
JimmieComeBack!!!!!
Jimmie,
you shouldnt set your daughter up for disappointment like that.
It aint happening, and even if it did, there are NO guarantees.