The 10 Biggest Coaching Decisions For 2010
You need more than just Xs and Os To be a successful coach in the National Football League.
While strategy and tactics are very important parts of a coach's arsenal, other qualities are needed to make a complete football coach.
You need characteristics like persistence, confidence and—perhaps most important of all—decisiveness.
The ability to make quick decisions, and the confidence to stand by them, are the main differences between players' success and failure on the field.
Making the right decisions regarding personnel is right up there with play-calling and goes a long way in determining the success or failure of an organization.
With training camps looming on the horizon, we're going to take a look at the 10 toughest decisions some coaches are facing heading into 2010.
10. Who Will Be the Starting QB in Buffalo?
New Bills coach Chan Gailey wants to make an impressive start in Buffalo.
The problem is: who will lead this team in 2010?
Gailey has Trent Edwards, Ryan Fitzpatrick, and Brian Brohm to choose from, and the choices don't have Buffalo fans all that excited.
Edwards is the most NFL-ready of the bunch, but inconsistency and injuries have derailed his career.
Fitzpatrick is a gritty quarterback who performs better as a backup than a starter.
Brohm was drafted by the Packers in the second round in 2008, and despite a lot of hype coming out of college, hasn't shown much value in the NFL.
Gailey's new so he'll be given time even if the Bills struggle out of the gate. Look for the experience of Edwards to win the job in the end.
9. Who Will Win the Right Guard Battle in Pittsburgh?
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has two important decisions to make, and both are on this list.
The first involves the three-headed battle for the starting right guard spot.
Incumbent Trai Essex will try and fend off top draft pick Maurkice Pouncey, and second-year pro Ramon Foster for the job.
This is a very big decision for Tomlin.
Only the Rams have given up more sacks over the last three seasons than Pittsburgh. The interior of the offensive line has been inconsistent in both run and pass blocking.
Protecting the quarterback is of critical importance. Even more so now that the league is so pass happy.
Look for Pouncey to win the job. He's big, strong, intelligent and very athletic for his size. He has all the intangibles to be a star.
8. How Will Bill Belichick Fix the Tom Brady Situation?
Tom Brady has been very vocal this offseason.
Which is very surprising in and of itself, and not good news for New England.
Brady is a private guy, cut from the same cloth as Bill Belichick, so when he emerged this offseason criticizing some of his teammates, it made headlines.
Brady called out some of the younger guys on the team, saying they didn't listen to Belichick and were mentally lazy.
Word around New England mini-camp is that Brady isn't happy anymore and has become disillusioned with the Patriots organization.
How Belichick can heal this rift could be more important than anything he does all season.
Brady is the heart and soul of the Patriots team, and if he's unhappy, New England could be in trouble in 2010.
7. What Team Will Pull the Trigger and Sign Terrell Owens?
Which coach will ask management to make the move and sign Terrell Owens?
We all know it's going to happen, we just don't know who it's going to be.
T.O. is on the downward side of his career, but the guy can still be a very effective number two receiver.
The problem is, he still thinks he's a number one.
He'll also be a huge distraction to the team that does get him.
Owens behaved himself in Buffalo last year. Maybe now he realizes he won't get the big multi-million dollar deal anymore and will sign soon.
Trust me on this.
Some coach, maybe Pete Carroll in Seattle, will roll the dice and give Owens another opportunity.
6. Are the Cowboys Comfortable with Doug Free at LT?
The Dallas Cowboys are positioning themselves for another Super Bowl run.
With the addition of rookie wideout Dez Bryant, the Cowboys have a plethora of talent at the skill positions.
Add a defense that is one of the best in the business, and it's easy to see why Cowboys fans are smiling as 2010 approaches.
But (and it's a big but), there is one position that should have Cowboy fans apprehensive—left tackle.
Dallas let veteran Flozell Adams go in the offseason, and will go with Doug Free.
This is a huge gamble that may come back and bite Jerry Jones.
Adams is 35 and starting to wear down, but even at his advanced football age, he is one of the best left tackles in the NFC.
Flozell is still unsigned and there is a possibility he returns to the Lone Star State.
Free is an unknown commodity, and Wade Phillips is counting on him to protect Tony Romo?
5. Who Starts at QB for Carolina?
John Fox is on thin ice in Carolina, despite leading the team to a Super Bowl and becoming the most successful coach in franchise history.
The decision on who will be his starting quarterback this season, and how the team performs, will determine whether he stays or goes.
Jake Delhomme has gone to Cleveland, leaving Matt Moore as the favorite heading into training camp.
He's not guaranteed a job by any means though, especially after Carolina drafted Jimmy Clausen in the second round.
Moore goes into camp as the starter, but Clausen will be given every opportunity to win the job.
If Fox chooses wrong, it could mean the end fo his career in Carolina.
4. Who Will the Steelers Start in Place of Ben Roethlisberger?
The Steelers missed the playoffs last season after winning the Super Bowl the year before.
It was a very unhappy time for the Steel City.
Just when Pittsburgh fans thought it couldn't get any worse, the Big Ben Show caused a huge problem in the spring when he was accused of another sexual assault and suspended 4-6 games by commissioner Roger Goodell.
The Steelers quickly picked up Byron Leftwich from Tampa Bay, and now it looks as if he'll be the man to replace Roethlisberger for at least four games.
This is a big decision for Mike Tomlin. Maybe even a career decision.
He has only one year left on his current deal and management is not even considering an extension.
Nothing is guaranteed right now.
Tomlin says the position is open, with Leftwich, Dennis Dixon and Charlie Batch in the mix.
In reality it's between Leftwich and Dixon, with the veteran clearly in the front.
It's a decision that will not only impact the Steelers in 2010, but could decide Tomlin's future with the franchise.
If the Steelers start out in a funk, the season could be over before Big Ben gets back.
3. Will the Rams Start Sam Bradford or A.J. Feeley at QB?
The Rams were 1-15 in Steve Spagnuolo's first season.
Not a good way to start, but also not unexpected.
Spagnuolo inherited a team without much talent, and when the injury bug bit hard last season, the results were obvious.
With the first pick in the draft, St. Louis selected QB Sam Bradford, who they hope will be the franchise quarterback that they've longed for since Kurt Warner left town.
The debate began almost immediately after the draft: should Spagnuolo start him or sit him his rookie season?
The Rams brought in veteran A.J. Feeley, and he's been working with the first team all through OTAs.
This is a decision the Rams coaching staff needs to address in training camp.
Bradford has been working with the second squad during mini-camp and OTAs.
The Rams fan base is already frustrated, and fans are staying away from the Ed Jones Dome. The ownership situation is in flux and the fans need something to cling to.
Keeping Bradford on the bench doesn't make much sense to me. He would immediately ramp up attendance and inspire hope, something the city of St. Louis desperately needs.
2. Who Comes Out On Top In the Cardinals QB Race?
The Cardinals franchise has lived through two of their best seasons in its history: two playoff appearances and the first Super Bowl berth in Arizona history.
The offseason has been anything but rosy for Bill Bidwell's bunch.
First, Kurt Warner retires. Then, Anquan Boldin gets traded, and the Cardinals lose a ton of quality in free agency.
Now coach Ken Whisenhunt must make a decision that will decide the future course of this team: who will replace Warner at quarterback?
The battle is between Matt Leinert, a first-round disappointment so far, and Derek Anderson, an inconsistent performer at best.
Look for free agent Marc Bulger to be considered if Leinert and Anderson struggle in preseason.
Good luck picking a starter from that group coach.
1. What Will the Redskins Do with Albert Haynesworth?
Albert Haynesworth signed a huge deal to come to the Redskins last season and all he's done is under perform and act like a two-year-old.
Washington, and new coach Mike Shanahan, must find a way to deal with this problem before it gets any worse.
It's already become a major headache and distraction for the franchise.
Haynesworth feels underappreciated, despite that fact the Redskins guaranteed him $28 million dollars.
Haynesworth's actions have alienated him from the coaching staff and his teammates. The unmitigated selfishness Haynesworth has displayed is appalling.
Coach Shanahan, if you're listening, get rid of this idiot, and do it now.
Day One of NFL Draft Produces Banner Day For Sooners, Big 12
It was a banner day for the Oklahoma Sooners and the Big 12 Conference at the 75th NFL Draft.
Oklahoma became the first school in the history of the draft to have three of the top four picks in the draft.
QB Sam Bradford, as expected, went first overall to the St. Louis Rams; DT Gerald McCoy went to Tampa Bay with the third pick, and OT Trent Williams was selected fourth by the Washington Redskins.
The Sooners placed a school record fourth first-round pick when TE Jermaine Gresham was taken at 21 by the Cincinnati Bengals.
In addition, Nebraska DT Ndamukong Suh (No. 2 overall to Detroit) and OT Russell Okung (No. 6 to Seattle) gave the Big 12 five of the first six picks in the draft.
All told, the conference had eight players taken in Round One.
Bradford became the third Sooner drafted first overall, joining Lee Roy Selmon in 1976 and Billy Sims in 1980. He was the first quarterback drafted by the Rams in the first round since Bill Munson in 1964.
The most controversial pick of the first round was by the Jacksonville Jaguars, who selected DL Tyson Alualu with the ninth overall selection. Most scouts had Alualu graded a late first or early second round pick.
In a mild surprise, the Denver Broncos wheeled-and-dealed for a second first-round choice and selected Florida QB Tim Tebow at 25. Many felt Tebow would go in the late second or early third round.
Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen was this year's Brady Quinn - falling out of the first round. Look for him to go early in the second round.
Here's a breakdown of the first round by drafted position:
DE - 5
CB - 5
DT - 4
OT - 4
RB - 3
QB - 2
WR - 2
S - 2
LB - 2
C- 1
G - 1
TE - 1
2010 NFL Draft: Top Five Quarterback Rankings
With the NFL Draft quickly closing in, I decided to throw my hat into the draftnik arena with my very own position-by-position rankings.
Each position will be profiled over the coming days, leading up to my 2010 mock draft, which will be released next Wednesday or Thursday.
The position rankings aren't based on what draft guru's like Kiper, Mayock, or Lande think. They are based on my observations of games I've attended or watched on television.
Measurements are important but not the most significant factor in my rankings. How many reps a guy does in the bench is secondary compared to a player's production on the field.
Production is the name of the game in evaluation.
Here are the top five quarterbacks in the 2010 NFL Draft.
1. Sam Bradford, Oklahoma
Bradford is one the most accurate quarterbacks in the history of college football. His pro day workout solidified him as the top pick in the draft.
He can make all the throws, has solid leadership attributes, and may be the only franchise quarterback in this class.
The only question mark on Bradford is the injury problems he suffered through last season. Some scouts wonder how he'll take a hit by a big NFL defensive lineman.
Bulking up to 236 pounds in the offseason helped to allay some of those scouts fears.
Bradford has all the makings of a big-time NFL quarterback.
2. Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame
Clausen was brought up in a pro-style offense at Notre Dame under the tutelage of Charlie Weis.
That should only help his cause.
Has better decision-making ability and accuracy than Brady Quinn, the last Irish quarterback taken in the first round. Clausen may not be a superstar, but don't look for him to be a total bust like Quinn either.
Clausen is equally adept at working from the shotgun or under center. He doesn't have a powerful arm, but he can make all the NFL throws.
He needs some time to develop, but should turn into a decent pro quarterback.
3. Colt McCoy
McCoy is a winner. There can be no denying that.
He left his mark on the University of Texas in more ways than one.
McCoy left school after his junior season as the all-time victories leader in NCAA history with 45 wins in 53 starts. His pass completion percentage of 70.33 was just shy of breaking the old NCAA career-record of 70.39 by Colt Brennan.
His 13,253 yards passing places him sixth all-time in college football. McCoy is one of only 11 quarterbacks to throw for at least 100 touchdowns during his career. His 112 scoring strikes rank seventh on the all-time list, while his 132 total touchdowns rank sixth. He also generated 14,824 yards in total offense, a figure that was surpassed by just three other players in the history of the NCAA.
Helped his draft position with a solid pro day workout and in individual workouts with the Rams and Browns.
McCoy is very accurate on short and medium range passes, but struggles with the deep ball. He's the smallest (6-foot-1, 216-pounds) of all the major quarterback prospects and that has some teams concerned.
Will need some time to develop, but is a nice value pick in the second round.
4. Dan LeFevour, Central Michigan
One of the most productive quarterbacks in the history of college football.
LeFevour produced 150 touchdowns in his career – 102 passing, 47 rushing and one receiving. No quarterback in NCAA history put the ball in the end zone more than he did.
LeFevour passed for 12,905 career yards. He also rushed for 2,948 yards and set a school record with 47 rushing touchdowns. Also set school marks for a season with 19 rushing touchdowns in 2007 and 28 passing touchdowns in 2009.
Has decent size (6-foot-3, 230-pounds), but average arm strength. LeFevour struggles on deep routes, but with better technique and time in the weight room, his strength should improve.
It's nice to have a powerful arm, but it's not a prerequisite for success. Look at Fran Tarkenton or Drew Brees as examples.
LeFevour hasn't been talked about much leading up to the draft and that's good news for the team who drafts him. With time, he has a chance to be a productive starting quarterback in the NFL.
5. Tim Tebow, Florida
One of the most publicized, scrutinized, and dynamic players in college football.
Tebow is a leader and a winner. He will need time to develop, but could become a very good NFL quarterback.
Despite early concerns from NFL scouts, coaches, and team executives about Tim Tebow's throwing motion and ability to be a pro quarterback, the former Florida Gators star has gained momentum leading up to the draft.
He'll be gone by the early part of the second round and may sneak into the first round to a team intrigued by his leadership abilities and athleticism.
Others to watch: Tony Pike, Cincinnati; Levi Brown, Troy; Jonathan Crompton, Tennessee.
Sam Bradford Solidifies Top Draft Status
Quarterback Sam Bradford shined in his pro day workout today and strengthened his position as the top pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.
The former Oklahoma standout threw a total of 63 passes and completed all but one of those. He worked from under center, the shotgun, and rolling out of the pocket to throw.
Questions about his arm strength and rebuilt shoulder were answered when one of his passes went close to 70 yards. The shoulder held up and, according to the scouts, Bradford made all the throws.
"Bradford was accurate from start to finish. He threw several beautiful strikes downfield, hitting receivers in stride some 40 yards from the line of scrimmage. He didn't display a rifle arm, yet showed enough strength to make all the throws."
If he aces his private workout with the Rams three days before the draft, he's a lock to be the first overall pick.
Helping Bradford's cause is his measurements: he stood 6-5 and weighed 236 pounds, looking like a poised, NFL-ready quarterback today.
Bradford has all the tools and intangibles to be a franchise quarterback, including great character and mental makeup. He's a natural leader on and off the field. Listen to what first-round prospect OT Trent Williams had to say about Bradford.
"I honestly think he’s one of the best – best in my class and hopefully he can be one of the best of the era, because he has it all, smarts and accuracy. I mean anything you want in a quarterback, Sam has. He knows the game. He knows all the details of what should be going on at practice. You just need that from a quarterback these days. Just leadership."
The only thing that could slow Bradford down is the heavy expectations being placed on him.
NFL Network analyst and draft guru Gil Brandt said "it was the best pro day I've seen by a quarterback since Troy Aikman in 1989."
Rams fans are already having visions of playoffs and Super Bowls in their heads, but remember this; the draft is a crap shoot, especially when quarterbacks are involved.
Do the names Ryan Leaf, Akili Smith, Cade McNown and Tim Couch ring a bell?
Bradford is better than all of them but the Rams need to proceed with caution and not throw him into the fire, unless and until, they feel he's ready.
St. Louis was 1-15 last season and has a ton of needs at almost every position. A Jets style turnaround doesn't appear to be in the cards this season. It will take some time to rebuild the dearth of talent the Rams have accumulated after years of bad drafts and horrible free agent mistakes.
Don't expect miracles in the first year of the Bradford era Rams fans. If coach Steve Spagnoulo and GM Billy Devaney can get some talent around him, great things should happen.
And maybe those Super Bowl dreams will become a reality.