MMQB: Coach of the Year Ballot

[MoLewisrocks]

Would someone with a twitter account tweet King that for once he should opt to not overthink it...

I don't know who Coach of the Year is.

One week from turning in my ballot for the Associated Press' all-everything NFL awards, and I'm confused about the coach more than anything else. Perhaps you can help me. Send me your thoughts, and I'll run the smartest few in Tuesday column. But here are the logical candidates, in no order other than alphabetical:

Bill Belichick, New England. Remade his offensive skill positions in one offseason, and the Patriots were the most explosive team in football. Getting the most late in the season out of a young defense. One of the best coaching jobs by the coach of his generation.

Todd Haley, Kansas City. Wisely handed off play-calling to Charlie Weis in the offseason and become the kind of overlord a head coach should be. "He changed our culture,'' says Tamba Hali. And the Chiefs won division after winning 10 games in three years.

Mike McCarthy, Packers. There are stats for this somewhere, I'm sure. But I'd bet the Packers edge Indianapolis for the team with the most games missed by starters due to injury. McCarthy and his staff do a great job of cultivating the next wave of good players to win.

Raheem Morris, Bucs. I picked the Bucs to win two games, and I remember one outraged emailer who said to me: "You're crazy! They're going to win five, easy!'' Try nine. Morris has been a bright Pied Piper to one of the youngest teams in Buc history. His way works.

Andy Reid, Philadelphia. Takes a lot of guts to, first, jettison the quarterback you've had since you walked in the door and who still is an OK player; and two, to bench the guy you traded the starter for -- with the hope that your quarterback project can be The Man. We see how Michael Vick has responded.

Rex Ryan, Jets. A late-season slide probably removes him from serious contention, but he's the type of coach players flock to play for -- and respond to. And the Jets are going to the playoffs for the second straight year under Ryan.

Lovie Smith, Chicago. A no-panic guy in the mold of his mentor, Tony Dungy. The whole city knew Smith was on trial for his job, yet you never know it. A good leader who empowers others to work well together.

Mike Smith, Atlanta. One of the new thinkers in the game. I've written a lot about how he's done bright things like limit John Abraham's snaps and get more out of him than any coach has. And the Falcons are in position to win not only the division but homefield through the NFC playoffs.

Steve Spagnuolo, Rams. St. Louis has come the farthest of any team in the league, even though it hasn't won anything yet. His rebuilt D has allowed 21 points less than the Giants, 27 less than Philadelphia.

Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh. Thought he handled the Ben Roethlisberger thing very intelligently. He basically said we're going to win, and I don't care if **** LeBeau's quarterbacking us. He wouldn't let his players even consider an excuse, and they took his lead.

Tough call. For me, it's probably going to come down to Belichick, Morris, Reid or Spagnuolo. I've got some thinking to do.

***

He should also start debating the executive of the year vote which should be between Pioli and Dimetroff, who have been the true architects and difference makers in KC and Atlanta because someone along the way taught them a system and to have the courage of their convictions.


Vikings-Eagles postponed, Mike Singletary fired, more NFL*Week 16 - Peter King - SI.com

 

[Pessimistic Pete]

If the Bucs miss the playoffs, it will be Todd Haley.

If the Bucs make the playoffs, it will be Raheem Morris.

 

[DarrylS]

Would someone with a twitter account tweet King that for once he should opt to not overthink it...



He should also start debating the executive of the year vote which should be between Pioli and Dimetroff, who have been the true architects and difference makers in KC and Atlanta because someone along the way taught them a system and to have the courage of their convictions.


Vikings-Eagles postponed, Mike Singletary fired, more NFL*Week 16 - Peter King - SI.com

Overthinking makes great press, and great conversation, that is what he is supposed to be doing.. but for us BB is COY hands down, in this rebuilding year he has brought a young team to 13-2.. no contest. Haley is probably a close second...

 

[MoLewisrocks]

If the Bucs miss the playoffs, it will be Todd Haley.

If the Bucs make the playoffs, it will be Raheem Morris.

Why, because they're one year wonders in week divisions...? Marvin Lewis was COTY his second year in Cincy. 'Been all downhill since. Haley is an egotistical putz. Pioli saved his bacon bringing in Charlie and RAC, and they wouldn't have considered the jobs had it been Haley alone, they came because they have faith in Scott. Morris has done it mostly with motivational smoke and mirrors. Turnarounds are meaningless blips unless you can sustain them and unless it was coaching that sustained them where COTY is concerned.

Belichick retooled this team on both sides of the ball on the fly and while dealing with a pro bowlers holdout, multiple core starter injuries, rookies galore and a grappling with a festering culture of entitlement change...

 

[BTTA]

I'd like to see that stat on most games lost to injury by starters. I'd bet the Pats are pretty high up there. Warren, Bodden, Kascur, Ghost, Taylor, most of the DL at some point, that's going to add up to a lot of games. I'd bet they are close to 100.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

If the Bucs beat the defending chamnpion Saints next week and make the playoffs as the youngest team in the NFL then there will be little doubt Moris will be the COTY

Belichick has been masterful at the helm of this team this year but the world knows he is the best coach in the league and has done this thing before,remember all the players he got off the streets in the past....its nothing he hasn't done before and because of this he might be second in voting.

 

[patriot lifer]

If the Bucs miss the playoffs, it will be Todd Haley.

If the Bucs make the playoffs, it will be Raheem Morris.

i don't think you can go wrong with either of those guys, but if I had to make a case against Haley...

1) Weak division

2) weak schedule
a) played nfc west
b) played only one playoff team (Colts) in which they lost

3) we could argue that the success of the team is a result of dear 'ole Pioli
a) he brings in two proven coordinators
b) he brings in a "proven" qb

To make the case for BB:
He is essentially the GM, has no coordinators (at least in title), and has a very young crop of players. Plus he has been very active and responsive to opportunities and changes.
a) Draft day: Great draft. 'nough said.
b) The team loses players to injuries before and during the season:
i) Leigh Bodden (our best DB entering the season), Ty Warren (our best DE entering the season), McGowan (trades for Page), Kaczur
ii) Kevin Faulk (Nabs Woodhead) who is someone that we all thought was irreplaceable
iii) Trades the #1 WR and picks up a new one who is more productive (how many coaches can say they've done that?) + they trade Maroney and Taylor gets hurt more, yet the running game has never been as consistent

We also have the #1 scoring team and #12 in points against. And we've played all the tough teams except some of the big boys in the NFC. And the team is totally different from the previous year. He doesn't have the benefit of continuity.


All that said, I still don't think Haley is a bad decision.

 

[Uncle Rico]

Looks to me like Peter has done a good job whittling it down to, oh, about half the coaches in the league.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

There's always some "genius" coach whose team goes 0-5 against good teams and takes care of business at home and against scrubs. KC and TB both fit the bill this year. As soon as they play a real schedule, their coaches will be on the hot seat for their jobs.

The real coaches of the year are the following:

Bill Belichick
Sean Payton
Mike Smith

I'm not sure how to break the tie between the three of them. All three teams are the real deal; Payton is probably responsible for a few wins from his last-minute play calling. Belichick has obviously been terrific. Smith has proven Atlanta is above the class of a fluke team, as they've taken care of business against all levels of competition.

Haley or Morris will win the award, undeservedly.

 

[sevengables_2207]

Don't see how Haley could be seriously considered, especially since Charlie and Romeo seemingly have done excellent jobs improving the offense and defense of the Chiefs. How much credit does Haley deserve, in comparison to his two coordinators?

 

[blackglass3]

Why, because they're one year wonders in week divisions...?

The NFC South is a weak division?

If the Bucs make the playoffs, Raheem Morris deserves COTY. If the Bucs don't, it should go to Belichick.

 

[Spiral]

In all fairness, the Patriots' GM has made the coach's job a lot easier this year.

 

[fair catch fryar]

Even if I put down the kool-aid for a second, I don't see how BB can be over-looked for this award. He probably will get over-looked though because anyone with 1/2 a clue wouldn't expect anything else short of genius from the guy. It's really beginning to sink in for me as to what we really are watching as Pats fans. To watch BB & Brady do what they do is an NFL legend in action. Twenty years from now and beyond, even the people who despised the Pats, will talk about them the same way people talk about Walsh & Montana now.

If BB doesn't win the award, then my pick goes to Haley in KC. Say what you want about Reiss & Crennel being there, but Haley deserves the credit, just as much as he would if they went 5-11 and he was blamed for it. Morris in TB is closely behind.

 

[upstater1]

King says that the Broncos trading Peyton Hillis to Cleveland was a ridiculous steal, and it's hard to argue when you look at the stats. Hillis' numbers are fantastic, and he obviously ran all over the Patriots.

BUT, would he even be playing at ALL for the Broncos or teams like the Patriots that have a no fumble policy. Hillis has 9 fumbles. THIS YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!

He wouldn't even be playing for the Patriots. He's literally worth less than Maroney.

 

[fair catch fryar]

In all fairness, the Patriots' GM has made the coach's job a lot easier this year.

Can't tell if you're being sarcastic, but isn't the coach also the GM?

 

[mgteich]

Spagnoulo
The rams are a great success story thsi year.

I doubt very much if Belichick would have a done a better job if he were coach of the rams this year.

 

[Froob]

Why isn't Mike Smith being mentioned? I think BB should get it over him based on a harder schedule but he does have the best team in the nfc.

 

[Its_The_Patriots]

This is easy on who the COTY should be...

 

[RobertWeathers]

Why isn't Mike Smith being mentioned? I think BB should get it over him based on a harder schedule but he does have the best team in the nfc.

Smith has done a spectacular job. He did an excellent job in 2008 too.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Spagnoulo
The rams are a great success story thsi year.

I doubt very much if Belichick would have a done a better job if he were coach of the rams this year.

I dunna know. As you say hes done a good job as it relates to where they were but if they go 11-5 or so next year he'd be more deserving.