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One of the intriguing but unpublicized ironies of the Johnnie Cochran-Cyrus Mehri initiative, the challenge to the NFL to identify minority candidates for head coaching and key management positions or face litigation, is that it is hard to locate worthy head coach contenders of any pigment right now.
Black. White. Pink. Yellow. Red. You name it. The NFL is currently facing a Rainbow Dis-coalition of head coach candidates.
Think there's presently a dearth of solid quarterbacks in the league? Peruse the staffs of the 32 franchises and try to conjure up a representative "short list" of assistants you would desire to interview if you were an owner making a head coaching change.
Try to come up with 10 names. We dare you.
|  | | Nick Saban's name always seems to come up when there are job openings in the NFL. |
The league has enlisted the Manhattan-based executive search firm Russell Reynolds & Associates in the quest for viable candidates. But being a solid head coach in the NFL is about more than sitting across a conference table from Joe Bailey, the former Dallas Cowboys administrator who handles the legwork for Russell Reynolds, and telling him what you think he wants to hear. The league has become increasingly corporate, no denying that, but coaching success extends beyond the boundaries of management paradigms.
"There is a certain indefinable 'it' that a head coach needs," said one owner. "I think I've done as much work as anyone in keeping tabs on who the hot young (candidates) might be. And I just don't see a lot of guys with the 'it' that I'm talking about."
Increasingly, the list of NFL assistants who might be candidates for head coaching jobs is comprised primarily of retreads. Even those coaches who seem to have revived their potential with strong showings -- Atlanta defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, Denver counterpart Ray Rhodes, offensive coordinators Al Saunders of Kansas City and Kevin Gilbride of Buffalo -- are viewed with jaundice by some owners because of their past failures as head coaches. The quartet has an aggregate head coach record of 106-120-1.
Miami offensive coordinator Norv Turner, who some still insist was miscast as a head coach during a miserable Redskins tenure, likely will not return to a top spot unless circumstances are optimum.
Denny Green, who isn't exactly starving or idle, isn't apt to jump at the first offer unless it includes plenty of control over major issues like staffing and player personnel. Bill Parcells looks increasingly comfortable on TV and might have found his niche there.
Some of the once-hot assistants, such as Giants offensive coordinator Sean Payton and Redskins defensive chief Marvin Lewis, have watched their stars fall a bit in the last couple seasons. Denver offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak seems a man of eternally cold feet and perhaps the only head coach job he'll ever consider is at his alma mater, Texas A&M, when and if the Aggies brass ever shows R.C. Slocum the door.
There is a small subset of fresh faces -- Pittsburgh coordinators Tim Lewis (defense) and Mike Mularkey (offense), San Francisco offensive chief Greg Knapp and defensive boss Jim Mora Jr., New Orleans offensive coordinator Mike McCarthy, Chicago defensive coordinator Greg Blache, Green Bay defensive coordinator Ed Donatell, defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio of Carolina and St. Louis defensive coordinator Lovie Smith -- but few of the names are exciting to owners or fans.
All of which might help explain why owners increasingly look to the college ranks for potential head coaches.
"The fans get turned off sometimes by the retreads, and the college game is making names for some guys, coaches who have a pretty high recognition factor," said an agent who represents both NFL and college coaches. "Part of the NFL game anymore is (public relations), selling tickets, getting out in the community and stumping. People seem to take better to an 'outsider' in those instances, owners are seeing, and they're keeping close tabs on what the college (coaches) are doing."
Among the several college head coaches who could be approached for NFL jobs in the coming months are Bob Stoops (Oklahoma), Nick Saban (LSU) and Kirk Ferentz (Iowa). We would include Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen in the bunch, but he turned down an opportunity with Tampa Bay last spring and seems entrenched for now.
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Side Lines
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On-Line
It certainly isn't one of the marquee games on the schedule, but in a weekend that will feature some compelling individual matchups, the battle between Baltimore left offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden and Miami right defensive end Jason Taylor is a must-see event. Even with his team's recent slump, Taylor remains a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year honors, a guy with 6½ sacks whose value to his unit supercedes his numbers. Taylor's motor runs constantly, he chases plays from sideline to sideline, he is always a factor. A seventh-year veteran, Ogden has been to the Pro Bowl in five of his first six seasons and is regarded as one of the premier left tackles in the game. Ogden is a better run-blocker than a pass-protector, however, and will need to move his feet and get into a quick setup to handle Taylor's burst off the edge. One advantage for Ogden is that Jeff Blake is a more mobile quarterback than Chris Redman and will move around in the pocket to avoid the rush. |
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The List
Oakland quarterback Rich Gannon, who on Monday night set a league record for single-game completion percentage, leads the NFL in passing yards (2,892) and is fourth in passer rating (101.2). But in the 1987 draft, the former Delaware star was the 98th selection (by New England) overall and the seventh quarterback taken off the board. Here is the list of quarterbacks chosen ahead of him in the '87 lottery: |
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Player
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Team
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Pick
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Vinny Testaverde
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Bucs
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1
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Kelly Stouffer
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Cardinals
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6
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Chris Miller
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Falcons
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13
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Jim Harbaugh
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Bears
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26
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Cody Carlson
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Oilers
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64
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Mark Vlasic
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Chargers
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88
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Stat of the Week
Third-year quarterback Chad Pennington deserves much of the credit for the New York Jets' recent turnaround. But a nod in the direction of the defense, especially against the run, is in order as well. In the first five games, when the Jets went 1-4, the defense surrendered an average of 190.8 rushing yards per game and 5.5 yards per attempt. Over the past four contests, the defense permitted an average of only 74.5 yards and 3.7 yards per carry. In that stretch, New York is 3-1. |
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Stat of the Weak
With a 2-7 record, courtesy of an ugly seven-game losing streak, the Chicago Bears are slipping toward a potentially dubious distinction. Since the league adopted a 16-game schedule in 1978, there have been 36 teams that won 13 games or more, and very few followed their standout campaigns with the kind of collapse the Bears are enacting in 2002 after their 13-3 record of a year ago. The worst one-year slide by a franchise that won 13 or more games in a season is a nine-game differential by the Atlanta Falcons between 1998 and '99. Atlanta was 14-2 in its miracle Super Bowl season in '98, then dropped to 5-11 in '99. Denver was a minus-eight between 1998 and '99 (from 14-2 to 6-10). Jacksonville fell off by seven games between 1999 and 2000 (from 14-2 to 7-9). Chicago clearly has some work to do to avoid such backtracking company.
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The Last Word
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| Billick |
Baltimore coach Brian Billick, on how Miami players will react when they see the Ravens defense that defeated them in the 2001 playoffs and how much it has changed because of an offseason salary cap purge: "They're going to line up and look across the line of scrimmage and go, 'Wait a minute. Where are those guys who beat us last year? You got us all fired up for those guys. Where did they all go?' "
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Of the aforementioned trio, Saban is the best known in NFL circles. He was an assistant in the league and has rebuffed queries to come back as a head coach. It will take big money to lure Stoops from Oklahoma, where he is making more than $2 million annually and can stay as long as he wants. Ferentz, another former NFL aide, has done a superb job with a lesser-known program and is regarded as a terrific teacher.
To get any college coach off-campus, though, an NFL owner would have to make a job attractive. Salaries at the college level have dramatically risen the past five years, and while an owner won't have to come up with a $25 million offer like the one that got Steve Spurrier out of Florida, money is a factor along with control.
There is considerably less pressure on most campuses. College coaches see the diminishing tenure in the NFL, and most are comfortable enough that they won't just make the leap to enact a change of scenery. Given the lack of legitimate candidates already in the NFL, though, several of the high-profile college coaches will get a chance after the 2002 season to consider the professional ranks.
The shallow pool of assistants who are legitimate candidates to make the step to the next level will dictate that.
Around the league
On the subject of coaching candidates, it is notable that the five-owner committee formed by commissioner Paul Tagliabue late last month to work on diversity in hiring, will meet next week. But don't count on any monumental pronouncements from the committee chaired by Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney. "We've got a lot of questions about what our direction should be, how we go about getting things done, and there is really no quick solution," Rooney said. In time, there are sure to be solid recommendations from the committee. But "in time" is the operative characterization here.
Since it's never too early to start thinking about the draft, a fact driven home recently by all the talk surrounding Marshall University quarterback Byron Leftwich and the possibility he could be the first choice overall, this reminder: When discussing the 2003 quarterback crop, don't overlook former Michigan star Drew Henson, currently floundering in the New York Yankees minor league system. Sources close to Henson, who hasn't played football since the 2000 season, insist he will not drop his quest for a Major League Baseball career. But the two-sports star, who signed a six-year, $17 million contract with the Yankees, labored at their Triple-A affiliate, the Columbus Clippers, this year. Henson hit .244, with 18 home runs, 64 runs batted in and an on-base percentage of .305. Most disturbing was his 145 strikeouts in 455 at-bats, and an elongated swing that scouts say must be shortened before Henson will contend for a spot on the big-league roster. Henson is struggling in the early stages of the Arizona Fall League, too, and the Yankees, who once projected him as their starting third baseman for 2003, are now considering a slew of alternatives. Would any team be injudiciousness enough to expend a high-round pick on Henson unless he offered some strong indication he will dessert his baseball career? No way. But some franchise, especially one with a bounty of compensatory choices, figures to snatch Henson in the middle rounds just to claim the football rights to him. The gamble could be worth it, especially if Henson continues to have problems handling the curve ball and becomes frustrated enough to look longingly again to the gridiron.
For at least two reasons, one dealing with his own shortcomings and the other with the vagaries of the draft, Leftwich isn't the sure-fire first overall choice some pundits assume him to be. There are some scouts who tell us Leftwich has a few holes in his game -- principally a lack of foot speed and problems with passing touch -- that will need work. More important is the matter of which league franchise owns the top pick in the 2003 draft. If it is current leader Cincinnati, for instance, there are no guarantees the Bengals will choose Leftwich, no matter how much the club desperately needs a franchise-type quarterback. After the Akili Smith fiasco, Cincinnati owner Mike Brown is wary of investing a ton of money in a quarterback and then counting on instant results. The prevailing theory is Brown would prefer to trade down with a team seeking Leftwich's services. But for the sake of argument, let's say he can't cut a deal and is forced to exercise the pick. It's no slam dunk he would take Leftwich.
Under the direction of Brown, the Bengals often use the second half of the season (since they are always removed from playoff contention at that point) to look at younger players. Thus there's a strong likelihood practice-squad quarterback Joe Germaine could be elevated to the active roster and perhaps even get a start. If that occurs, it won't sit very well with current starter Jon Kitna, who believes it is time Cincinnati officials display some consistency and try to foster continuity at the position. "I should be the quarterback," a none-too-shy Kitna said this week. "The guys in the locker room respect and trust me. But it doesn't matter what I do. And they wonder why we lose around here every year? It's because we start over every year. One of these years you might catch lightning in a bottle, but you never get anything consistent (until you stick with a quarterback)." Kitna's take might be right, and his numbers are better than those of Akili Smith and Gus Frerotte, but the bottom line is that Cincinnati is just 1-4 with him as the starter. The club has averaged 23.4 points and 364 yards in his five starts, a big improvement on the 5.8 points and 230 yards Cincinnati averaged in its first five games of the year, but Kitna remains inconsistent at times. He throws too many interceptions, with 10 in five starts, and still doesn't take care of the football. But the veteran has a lofty 71.6 completion percentage and a passer rating of 86.7, and those can't be overlooked. One contract element unearthed by ESPN.com that could factor into the Bengals' quarterback plans for the balance of the season: If Kitna plays 80 percent of the snaps, he will earn a $1 million bonus. Extrapolating his current numbers, and those of the team, he would probably have to remain as the starter to hit that 80 percent benchmark.
Should tailback Amos Zereoue continue his current productive streak, the Pittsburgh Steelers could face a difficult decision on Jerome Bettis in 2003. Until recently, Zereoue wasn't considered a starting-caliber tailback. But over the last month, starting in place of the injured Bettis (knee), the small but tough-running Zereoue has demonstrated he might be capable of hauling the kind of heavy load expected of Pittsburgh tailbacks. Bettis is due a salary of $2.75 million in 2003 and has a salary cap charge of $3.89 million. It could be that the Steelers brass will ask him to restructure his contract. Zereoue, on the other hand, counts just $1.99 million against the 2003 spending limit and his base salary is scheduled to be $1.462 million. There are concerns that, at age 30, Bettis is starting to wear down physically and might be prone to injuries. From about the midpoint of the '01 season, the Steelers haven't been able to count on Bettis, and Zereoue has at least been consistent.
The best fullback in football, at least given the job description for the way the position has evolved these days, might be San Francisco's Fred Beasley. According to statistics provided by 49ers officials, the fifth-year veteran has been superb as a lead-blocker and short-yardage rusher in 2002. Team stats indicate that with Beasley has a lead-blocker, San Francisco tailbacks have 153 carries for 762 yards, a hefty five-yard average. On running plays where Beasley was not the lead blocker, the 49ers have averaged just 3.6 yards per attempt, with 320 yards on 90 rushes. In the overtime victory over the Raiders two weeks ago, San Francisco backs had 98 yards on 25 rushes when Beasley was the lead-blocker. On the plays where he wasn't, the backs had eight rushes for minus-one yard. As a ball carrier himself, Beasley has converted all 12 third-and-short (two yards or less) situations. Twelve of his 18 carries have produced a first down.
The more Baltimore coach Brian Billick sees of quarterback Jeff Blake, the more he likes him, and there is a strong possibility the 11-year veteran will keep the No. 1 job through the remainder of the season. Chris Redman, who opened the season as the starter, remains sidelined by a herniated disc in his back and won't be available for at least three more weeks. Should Blake continue to play well, there will be a considerable debate among Ravens officials over the direction the club should take at the quarterback spot. Redman was playing well when he was injured, although his performances tended to be by-the-numbers and he rarely took chances. But the players like Blake's gambling style and his moxie, the offense has been more vertical since he took over as the starter, and he has provided a much-needed spark. There has been no substantive discussion with agent Ralph Cindrich about an extension for Blake, who signed only a one-year deal this past summer, but the Ravens will almost certainly try to complete a new deal before the veteran passer goes onto the open market next spring.
One of the pitfalls of free agency is the lack of continuity on the offensive line units around the league. But one reason for the success of the Saints' offense is that until last week, all five starters had played every snap in all games. The streak ended when standout rookie right guard LeCharles Bentley sprained his ankle in the third quarter and was replaced by Scott Sanderson. The ankle injury will keep Bentley out of Sunday's rematch against the Atlanta Falcons and will thus mark the first game this season in which the Saints started a different quintet. Right tackle Spencer Folau will move inside to guard and Victor Riley, who was supposed to be the starter at right tackle in camp, takes over that position.
Speaking of offensive lines, San Diego assistant Hudson Houck has done a superb job with the Chargers but might have to be a miracle worker for this weekend's game against the 49ers. Both starting offensive tackles, Damion McIntosh (ankle) and Vaughn Parker (triceps), have been ruled out for the game. That means Ed Ellis, who had three false starts and a costly personal foul last week, starts again for McIntosh at left tackle. And Sammy Williams will make his first start of the season at right tackle. The upshot: Look for tailback LaDainian Tomlinson to get a ton of carries as the Chargers try to protect quarterback Drew Brees.
There might be a flurry of contract extensions next month, as teams try to keep veterans from going into the free agent market. If that is the case, there are a few franchises with enough remaining salary cap room to do meaningful deals. These 10 clubs all have more than $2 million in salary cap space, according to NFL Players Association documents: Philadelphia, $4.72 million; Seattle, $3.75 million; Arizona, $3.13 million; Cleveland, $2.73 million; Miami, $2.72 million; New England, $2.69 million; Cincinnati, $2.57 million; Baltimore, $2.42 million; San Francisco, $2.18 million; and Jacksonville, $2.11 million.
Much to the surprise of many league observers and even some Steelers players, the team did not audition placekickers this week in an attempt to replace the spotty Todd Peterson. The reason: "There simply isn't anyone out there who is better," said one club official. Some players felt youngster Joe O'Donnell, a local kid who was in camp with the Steelers, might get a call. But word is that coach Bill Cowher wasn't as impressed with the former Maryland kicker as were some of his assistants. So while Peterson has been inconsistent and has affected the play-calling on third down, he continues to hang on to his roster spot.
Punts: Look for Tennessee tailback Eddie George to be a workhorse this weekend against the Steelers. The Titans are 25-2 in games where George gets 27 or more rushes, 3-0 versus Pittsburgh in such games. During their current four-game winning streak, the Titans have averaged 32 rushes and 137 rushing yards. ... Although he stumbled at the outset of the season because of injuries, Green Bay fifth-year veteran Nate Wayne is playing again like one of the NFL's premier weakside linebackers. He recently demonstrated his social conscience as well, hosting his second annual bowling tournament. With the help of nearly 30 teammates, and sponsors Ebonite and Jack's Kraft Pizza, he raised a considerable contribution for Cerebral Palsy, Inc., and for Coats for Kids. ... Former San Diego Chargers coach Mike Riley, currently the secondary coach for the New Orleans Saints, is getting some mention as a possible head coach candidate at the University of Arizona, where current head coach John Mackovic is on thin ice. ... The steady improvement of the San Francisco defense, two pro scouts noted this week, is in large part attributable to the play of third-year linebacker Julian Peterson. ... Although the Giants have one of the NFL's best young cornerback tandems in Will Allen and William Peterson, the team has gone six games without an interception. ... There have now been 14 games this year in which a quarterback had 50 or more pass attempts. ... Arizona right tackle Anthony Clement will see some playing time this week for the first time since tearing a triceps muscle in the preseason. Clement won't start but coach Dave McGinnis will work him back in slowly, with Leonard Davis going inside to right guard when Clement is in the game.
Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.
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