Three of the remaining four GM candidates have direct ties to HC candidate Dan Campbell

[Spiel54man]

@Doctor_Love

it’s also fair to have significant reservations about a guy with no play-calling experience or other tangible accomplishments that translate to building a functional football team. Amped-up motivator is super low on the list of what it takes for a head coach to be successful.

While true, this was my excuse for liking Patricia over Mike Vrabel last time.

Oops.

[Thats2]

@stephenboyd57

I respect your opinion. But, I would argue that a man’s background is what makes him who he is as a man.

Well, yeah, but not the specifics of his coaching/playing career (though it no doubt influences his style). That’s what I meant. Not like, his upbringing.

[REMRebound]

@Spiel54man

While true, this was my excuse for liking Patricia over Mike Vrabel last time.

Oops.

Yeah, gotta agree here. Do not underestimate the value of “amped up motivator.” I mean, OK, somebody who just yells a lot and gets ignored isn’t a great hire. But I’d argue the HC’s ability to get players to buy in, keep them motivated, have them show up every week ready to play their asses off is NOT some minor part of the job. It is by far the most important part of the job, as we’ve seen firsthand in the transition from Caldwell to Patricia.

Being able to call a good game or implement a clever scheme is great, but you can hire brilliant coordinators to help with that. If the head coach doesn’t have everybody prepared and marching in the same direction, the team will fail.

[stephenboyd57]

Great post REM, completely agree. Sometimes head coaches become too concerned with the play calling on either offense or defense, that the human element of coaching falls through the cracks. A true leader can raise his team up and help motivate them to aspire to greatness. So many coaches just focus on the x’s and o’s, although important, can’t be executed without inspired men.

Look at Pete Carroll, that dude is 70 years old and is still running up and down the sidelines with enthusiasm and fire. I respect that and would love that as a player.

[Doctor_Love]

@REMRebound

But I’d argue the HC’s ability to get players to buy in, keep them motivated, have them show up every week ready to play their asses off is NOT some minor part of the job. It is by far the most important part of the job, as we’ve seen firsthand in the transition from Caldwell to Patricia.

There are a lot of important parts of a HC’s job, and much of what you’re talking about comes from the structure and system that the coach puts in place. And, most importantly IMO, the consistency with which he executes it.

The high-energy, “let’s turn the emotions up to 11” stuff doesn’t work on everyone, nor is it something that’s sustainable for the day-in, day-out grind that is the NFL. My concern is that I’ve not seen anything that shows that Campbell offers much more than the white guy version of a Ray Lewis pregame speech.

[REMRebound]

@Doctor_Love

There are a lot of important parts of a HC’s job, and much of what you’re talking about comes from the structure and system that the coach puts in place. And, most importantly IMO, the consistency with which he executes it.

The high-energy, “let’s turn the emotions up to 11” stuff doesn’t work on everyone, nor is it something that’s sustainable for the day-in, day-out grind that is the NFL. My concern is that I’ve not seen anything that shows that Campbell offers much more than the white guy version of a Ray Lewis pregame speech.

Again, totally disagree. Matt Patricia implemented an extremely deliberate structure and system, one that has worked very well for Bill Belichick, and from all accounts was extremely consistent in how he executed his structure and system. It didn’t matter, because he was a douchebag that most players couldn’t stand.

Not talking about being a rah-rah guy–Caldwell wasn’t that either. But he was a leader of men first and foremost, and it took him pretty damn far, even when everything else was falling apart. Being an actual leader–having that character, being someone who inspires loyalty and commitment and passion from his players–is by far the most important factor I’d be looking for in a head coach.

Not suggesting that applies to Dan Campbell, I wouldn’t know. Of course, I doubt Rod Wood or Sheila Ford would know either…

[Doctor_Love]

@REMRebound

Not talking about being a rah-rah guy–Caldwell wasn’t that either. But he was a leader of men first and foremost, and it took him pretty damn far, even when everything else was falling apart. Being an actual leader–having that character, being someone who inspires loyalty and commitment and passion from his players–is by far the most important factor I’d be looking for in a head coach.

I don’t think we’re that far off from one another here. Save for the passion part of your statement, I completely agree.

My beef is with people who confuse meathead tough-guy clichés with leadership (and I’m not saying that you do). Campbell is certainly full of those. There’s just little in his background that demonstrates anything beyond that.

I also think it’s worth considering that he’s never been a coordinator. While excellence in playcalling isn’t necessary or even indicative of HC success, I think having the experience of owning one side of the ball is something that would help a head coach. Not having it certainly seems like it would be a disadvantage.

[TCLion]

I said it once and I’ll say it again. This is CLEARLY the swan song for the Saints with Brees and their cap situation. If we want the real thing, why not slip Mickey our worthless 2nd round pick and get Payton???

Yes, you can indeed still trade for a Head Coach. Yes, I know it would be contingent on Payton being willing to come here, but why not at least try???

[Weaselpuppy]

@Doctor_Love

That’s a little bit like John Bobbitt just looking for a girlfriend who isn’t quite so handy with a blade. You’d hope there are higher standards than that

I believe Mr. Frankenpenis (also the name of his Porno, I kid you not), received a handy with a blade, actually…

[Air2theThrown]

@Phunnypharm

Ballard has traded down multie times and acquired quality picks in rounds 2 and 3… and then picked good players. Not sure how much credit Dodds gets for that… but hopefully he took note.

Dodds learned the value of trading down while in Sea. Pete Carrol loves to trade down. Especially in round one. I’ve won some money watching the draft with friends and betting before each pick. In round one. I always bet that Sea trade their pick. They do it almost every year.

I suspect that if we landed Dodds that we would see more trade downs from the Lions. I’d love it if we landed Dodds.

However I hope Campbell isn’t our HC … nothing about him excites me.