Mike Lombardi on Pioli and McDaniels 1/7/09

[BPF]

Wow on McDaniels.

The National Football Post | Diner News: Around The NFL

Pioli:

I have been told by several reliable sources that the Browns and Scott Pioli have not even talked about money or demands. They had a meeting, but it was more of a getting-to-know-you meeting. I believe Randy Lerner does not want to be turned down and does not want to appear unwilling to wait for Pioli to make a decision. He may feel Scott will never leave the Patriots (which many have told me recently) and he does not want to embarrass his franchise by being turned down. I completely understand his desire to protect the franchise. As for Heckert, it is clear he wants to move on from Philadelphia and gain additional freedom. Heckert has been mentioned for a number of jobs throughout the league, but my sense is that he better take one soon because, even though he has years left on his deal, he does not have the clout he needs in Philadelphia to make a difference.

Once Scott makes up his mind, I expect Eric Mangini to be named Browns coach and George Kokinis, the Ravens’ director of pro personnel, to follow shortly afterward as GM.

McDaniels:

From what I’m hearing, the Broncos loved New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who seems to be formulating his staff, including Dom Capers as his defensive coordinator. The Broncos will not take much more time and will make a decision in the next week.

 

[JSn]

Nice. I was just coming here to post this. There are two NFL news guys who are almost always on the money: Schefter (obviously) and Lombardi. I don't know who Mike knows, but I'm guessing it's a lot of people and they see a web-pub with integrity in the NFP.

If Josh and Dom split, that makes for some interesting scenarios in New England, eh?

Will we carry on with Pees and BB focusing on Offense for a year whilst someone trains? Or will there be an addition? Is there a squeaking hope of the any of the dynasty era co-ords coming back?

And if Pioli isn't leaving, is he just being polite, watching for some ridiculous offer, or is he making friends an influencing people to help THIS team?

I also wonder if any of our aging players are viewed as coaching material...

In the words of Arsenio, these are "things that make you go hmmmm".

 

[Rob0729]

I never really thought that Pioli wants to leave NE. I think he is willing to speak and if he gets bowled over by an offer, he may consider it.

It is depressing though that it looks like McDaniels is ready to leave the nest. I hope that my fear that a lot of his haters will be eating crow after he leaves and we see how much he really meant to the office don't come true.

 

[Rob0729]

Nice. I was just coming here to post this. There are two NFL news guys who are almost always on the money: Schefter (obviously) and Lombardi. I don't know who Mike knows, but I'm guessing it's a lot of people and they see a web-pub with integrity in the NFP.

Lombardi was in the front office of the Browns when Belichick was head coach and many of the people still associated with the Pats like Pioli were there. Lombardi and Belichick are friends.

 

[upstater1]

Weis isn't coming back, at least not this year.

I was hoping McDaniels would be here on more year.

 

[signbabybrady]

Very interesting stuff.

I do ask this though if Pioli has no plans on moving on than what is to be gained from looking around?

My opinion is that he is looking for the right fit and also making his demand known so that when he does find the right fit it is well known ahead of time what kind of control and other intangibles he demands.

As much as I hate the Broncos and I will not route for them just because they get McDaniels I think this is a really good place for him to land.
First it has been widely reported this year that the Broncos had implemented a lot of the New England offense which would allow him to ease his philosphies into the offense.
Second the Broncos have proven that they have a long term view of the game which should allow him a proper leash and not a short one.
Third the personell at least on offense is there QB WRs.


I am sure that Capers came in and did plenty to help this team but its not like the secondary was ouor best unit. Capers leaving would open the door for Crennell to return or I am sure BB can find another Capers type to fill the void.

 

[Gwedd]

Anyone else think that Number 80 might make a good positions coach?

Troy Brown has a lot of respect inside the organization.

respects,

 

[lobster]

Are there any rumors on who the Pat's are considering for their new OC and/or Quarterback coach?

 

[signbabybrady]

Are there any rumors on who the Pat's are considering for their new OC and/or Quarterback coach?

I would expect that anything on that front stays internal until the guy actually takes a job elsewhere. In the past BB has stayed in house for these things but at the rate these guys are getting jobs he might need to restock with some experienced football minds from around the league. Certainly wil be interesting to follow if McDaniels does leave.

 

[BelichickFan]

Are there any rumors on who the Pat's are considering for their new OC and/or Quarterback coach?

As Box has pointed out before, this guy :

Bill O'Brien - Official New England Patriots Biography

seems to fit the profile.

Although this guy :

Pete Mangurian - Official New England Patriots Biography

is another strong candidate.

I'd be shocked if it were anyone else although they could do the "OC but not by name" thing they did the first year after Weis left.

 

[italian pat patriot]

i would have liked to have again with us Josh Mc Daniels 1 more year at minimum too

who could then become our OC ? mmm...

 

[mac]

Cassel as QB, TB as offensive coordinator for a year.

 

[signbabybrady]

Cassel as QB, TB as offensive coordinator for a year.

I would perfer TB as QB and TB as offensive coordinator instead

 

[JSn]

I would perfer TB as QB and TB as offensive coordinator instead

Until this season, I wondered if TFB actually WAS calling the shots on offense, lol. Especially last year.

 

[ALP]

Until this season, I wondered if TFB actually WAS calling the shots on offense, lol. Especially last year.

how dificult coult it be really?

 

[SteveBsFan]

I don't understand why Josh would be any serious candidate for any team. Maybe teams figure if the record setting Patriots offense can take him serious, than he'd be able to win over a full team.

Sadly, I don't think that's the case. JM is a product of BB, and BB's teams take Josh serious because BB does. Belichick had the confidence in him to name him OC, so naturally his players are going to support that decision and trust his judgment. I'm sure if Belichick announced Josh to take over the Pats when he retires, then his players will also respect it and have confidence in that decision.

I don't think he'll be able to carry that much weight w/o a full Belichick endorsement which I doubt he'll get because I would be shocked if Belichick thinks he's ready to coach.

 

[spacecrime]

I never really thought that Pioli wants to leave NE. I think he is willing to speak and if he gets bowled over by an offer, he may consider it.

It is depressing though that it looks like McDaniels is ready to leave the nest. I hope that my fear that a lot of his haters will be eating crow after he leaves and we see how much he really meant to the office don't come true.

Hater is too strong a word for me. I didn't like the way mcDaniels refused to adjust during the last few games of the season, and especially during the Supberbowl. Not going to a hot receiver or screens to slow the Giants pass rush was pure Mike Martz Lite. We scored about as much as did the XXXVI Rams, and for the same reason.

This year? I've always liked Cassel and I believe that Cassel would have shined without McDaniels, and further that we would have won two more games this year and would be playing this weekend with someone more adaptable as OC.

Your belief might be different than mine, but these are what I believe to be facts, and are not changed if McDaniels changes his ways in the future. He did what he did, and I dislike what he did. If he decides to be less martz-like and make in-game adjustments and does well in Denver, good for him. It doesn't change what he did during the Giant Superbowl.

So if McDaniels does well in Denver, it is a double whammy for you. You lose a guy you like, and people who didn't like the way he called plays here won't eat crow for you because his play-calling here didn't impress us, and that hasn't changed.

Similarly, if Maroney comes back in 2009 and hits the hole with vigor, you won't get anyone eating crow for not liking his dancing because it is a fact that he did dance. If he learns and gets better, good for him, but it doesn't change my opinion of the 2007-2008 version of him.

I hope McDaniels does well for the Broncos, better than he did for us last February. He was still a bad OC for the Pats.

I'm not surprised BB is encouraging him to apply for head coaching jobs and tried to discourage Mangini. Mangini is a rat, but he was a better DC than McDaniels was an OC.

 

[SVN]

I never really thought that Pioli wants to leave NE. I think he is willing to speak and if he gets bowled over by an offer, he may consider it.

It is depressing though that it looks like McDaniels is ready to leave the nest. I hope that my fear that a lot of his haters will be eating crow after he leaves and we see how much he really meant to the office don't come true.

mcd took caldwell and doug gabriel to the afccg
made a prolific offensive system when they got welker and moss
made cassel a possible future franchise of some time...

even though he made some questionable calls in games like all OC's do its a pretty impressive job

 

[mac]

I don't understand why Josh would be any serious candidate for any team. Maybe teams figure if the record setting Patriots offense can take him serious, than he'd be able to win over a full team.

Sadly, I don't think that's the case. JM is a product of BB, and BB's teams take Josh serious because BB does. Belichick had the confidence in him to name him OC, so naturally his players are going to support that decision and trust his judgment. I'm sure if Belichick announced Josh to take over the Pats when he retires, then his players will also respect it and have confidence in that decision.

I don't think he'll be able to carry that much weight w/o a full Belichick endorsement which I doubt he'll get because I would be shocked if Belichick thinks he's ready to coach.

My sense all along has been that if McDaniels is patient and hones his craft with the Pats, he would be the successor to BB at some point. Josh, what's the rush?

 

[maverick4]

It is depressing though that it looks like McDaniels is ready to leave the nest. I hope that my fear that a lot of his haters will be eating crow after he leaves and we see how much he really meant to the office don't come true.

He is an above average offensive coach, like Norv Turner who coached the Cowboys dynasty with all those great weapons as OC.

McDaniels will most certainly fail as a head coach, he is only 32, doesn't know squat besides offense, and even within offense he is more of a Marino of coordinators than a Montana.

In a way I will be glad if he leaves, because I am tired of seeing the same 5 plays every game such that my friends and I can predict the offense, pre-snap, by half time.