Black Monday has come and gone and with that six new men have been initiated into the fraternity that is the NFL Head Football Coaches. Here is my report card on the hirings.
New York Giants: Ben McAdoo
Grade: F
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Awful, terrible, despicable. The Mara family's decision to promote Ben McAdoo to head coach is one of the biggest head scratchers of 2016. Without a doubt in my mind the Giants job was the biggest coaching gig in all of football, profession and college alike. Being the coach of the New York Football Giants is a title that carries a certain level of respect and I just don’t believe McAdoo has done enough in his career to have earned this job. He was brought to NY to help an ailing Eli Manning, and a struggling Giants offense. In McAdoos tenour with the G-men the boys in boy have been to the postseason a total of zero times.
Cleveland Browns: Hue Jackson
Grade: B+
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Everything Cleveland touches turns to crap, and considering Jackson is the Browns 9th head coach since the turn of the century the mistake on the lake has churned out consistent disappointing season after disappointing season. Hue Jackson is a proven offensive mind who has some success in Oakland following the death of long time Raiders owner Al Davis. Following Davis’ death the franchise leadership shifted and Mark Davis made the decision to go away from Jackson, which placed the offensive guru in Cincinnati these past few seasons. This time around with support for ownership I believe Jackson has a solid chance to build something on the banks of Lake Michigan. The rebuilding will have to start with the search for a new quarterback with reporting swirling that Hue Jackson wants nothing to do with the troubled, former Heisman Trophy winning Johnny Manziel. Don’t cross your fingers in the dog pound however, these are still the Browns we’re talking about.
San Francisco 49’ers: Chip Kelly
Grade: A-
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HOLD YOUR HORSES HERE. Chip gets an A- from a pure coaching standpoint. Everyone and their mother knows that Chip Kelly in charge of player personnel was an unmitigated disaster. To be honest here, Kelly was a win or two away from leading the Eagles to an NFC North title and a possible extension. Everything is overblown in Philadelphia due to their rabid fanbase and Philly fans could run the pope out of town if they wanted to, so Kelly's reputation may take a hit, but one thing is for sure; Chip knows how to coach quarterbacks. This is Colin Kaepernick's second chance at regaining his confidence and reasserting himself as the man in SanFran. The Kelly-Kaepernick marriage will rather flourish beautiful or go up in flames. Either way both men need each other.
Miami Dolphins: Adam Gase
Grade: B
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Miami was the first team to hire their man, and for them that was Adam Gase. Next to Josh McDaniels in New England that has not been a coordinator who has waited in the wings longer than Gase. Gase has a reputation as one of the great quarterback whisperers in all of pro football. Gase who has worked with Alex Smith, Peyton Manning and Jay Cutler will face his most daunting test in making Ryan Tannehill into a reliable NFL quarterback. Considered by many NFL experts as a “safe” hire. Gase will get an opportunity to prove that he has what it takes to be the head man in Miami.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Dirk Koetter
Grade: B-
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This is not Koetter’s first rodeo as a head coach. He was the head man for Boise State for two seasons before bolting for the Arizona State gig in 2001. Unable to produce a consistent bowl winning team, Koetter was fired and was an NFL nomad for about a decade before accepting the Tampa Bay job. Koetter was a popular figure inside Raymond James Stadium because of his tremendous relationship with franchise rookie quarterback Jameis Winston. Any time a team fires Lovie Smith these are immediately infused with some energy and life, and I think Dirk Koetter has a promising future in the NFC South. Only question when it comes to Koetter is who he will appoint as the Bucs defensive coordinator.
Philadelphia Eagles: Doug Pederson
Grade: C+
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Doug Pederson is no stranger to the city of Philadelphia. Pederson was a backup QB for the Eagles in 1999 and had two stints in the city of brotherly love as Offensive quality control coordinator and quarterbacks coach before leaving for Kansas City to be the offensive coordinator for his mentor Andy Reid. Pederson will be thrown right into the fire in Philly and won’t have a long time to accumulate with those crazy Eagles fans. Winning early will be important for Pederson who I believe has really good potential if things begin smoothly in Philly.
Tennessee Titans: Mike Mularkey
Grade: D+
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Yuck, this move by Tennessee is franchise crippling. Rumors are swirling that Titans owner Bud Adams is considering selling the team, and this looks more of an “I don't want to pay a big name” compared to “I want to give my franchise quarterback a coach to help him develop.” Titans fans (yes they do exist) are not happy with the decision to remove the interim tag from Mularkey's name. The real loser in this hire is poor Marcus Mariota who is in desperate need for a coach who will take his development to the next level. Unfortunately for the former Heisman winner and Titans fans Mularkey is not that coach. Failing to bring Buffalo and Jacksonville to the postseason in multiple years as a head coach has Mularkeys reputation sealed as a “Bridge coach.” 2016 looks to be more of the same in Nashville. Expect another high draft pick for the Titans.
