PFT Speculation: Pioli, McDaniels to Falcons?

[fumbrunner]

Wouldn't that just suck?

WHAT NEXT AFTER PARCELLS ARRIVES?

So with Bill Parcells reportedly poised to assume the position of "executive vice president" of the Atlanta Falcons, questions will arise regarding the persons whom Parcells might pursue to fill up the spots in the team's reconstituted front office.

Regarding the position of General Manager, the most intriguing possibility is Patriots' vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli, who also happens to be Parcells' son-in-law. Under league rules, however, Pioli most likely would not be able to exit his current contract with the Patriots unless he were in possession of final say over the composition of the roster and/or the coaching staff.

Another interesting possibility would be Jets General Manager Mike Tannenbaum. In 2002, when Parcells was poised to become the coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tannenbaum arrived in Tampa to begin working as the Tuna's G.M. Although the Falcons would not be able to acquire Tannenbaum without the Jets being willing to let him walk, possible evidence of growing friction between Tannenbaum and coach Eric Mangini could make the Jets more inclined to let him go.

The other question relates to the identity of the next Falcons coach. There already has been considerable discussion regarding "Parcells guys" who might be available and/or interested in taking over the Falcons. Several of them, such as Sean Payton, Charlie Weis, and Bill Belichick, already have big-time jobs. Former Parcells assistants in Dallas who currently are not employed as head coaches include Cowboys assistant head coach/offensive line coach Tony Sparano, Cardinals offensive coordinator Todd Haley, and current Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.

As Chris Mortensen pointed out on ESPN's first take on Wednesday, the identity of the head coach will be largely influenced by the person whom Parcells hires to be the next G.M. If it were Pioli, for example, any of the various current New England assistant coaches would instantly be in play, such as offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. Likewise, those lingering rumors of Iowa's Kirk Ferentz waiting for Pioli to depart the Pats would likely be dusted off. (Given, however, the Falcons' most recent experiences with a college coach, it's highly unlikely that anyone from that level would be considered for the Falcons' job, even if by some Festivus miracle Knute Rockne pulled a Lazarus.)

The bottom line here is that Parcells will have many directions in which to go. In the end, however, look for Parcells to get to work in Atlanta with persons with whom he has some past working relationship -- and with a coach who'll be willing to cook the meal even though someone else is buying the groceries.

 

[bakes781]

Pioli MUCH more so than McDaniels.

 

[upstater1]

Apparently, the writer doesn't know that Parcells and Pioli's wife are not on great terms.

 

[Mainefan]

Now that's what I call hard information.

 

[BelichickFan]

I'm not concerned about any of this stuff until we complete the 19-0 season

I'm also not sure that working in the shadow of your father in law is the optimal career move - maybe we could get a mid round pick for Cassel, though

 

[maverick4]

There's no way this happens.
McDaniels right now is like Norv Turner, blessed with talent as OC's of dynasties, but way too inexperienced on every other aspect of a football team.

Belichick is signed through 2013, why would Pioli leave before then, when he obviously loves being with the Pats and having an ideal working relationship with Belichick? He doesn't have a big ego like Parcells and doesn't feel compelled to prove anything more or have more power.

 

[FreeTedWilliams]

Pioli is not going to want to go from a job he is respected and honored for (is their any debate as to him winner executive of the year this year??) to the guy working for his father-in-law??

Anyone here, want to leave your job to go and work for your father-in-law??

Anyone???

I didn't think so.

 

[Tunescribe]

Tuna has his work cut out for him if he goes to Atlanta. It's at least as much of a mess as when he came here, the only difference being the facilities. The fan base is much weaker as well.

 

[Disco Volante]

"Moss is on the bubble!"

 

[PatsFanSince74]

I know about the personal connection, but would Pioli want to work under Parcells again? He's earned a lot of respect and independence in the Patriots organization, Here he works in tandem with Belichick, who is the first between equals but who also seems to respect Pioli's opinion and give him a lot of leeway, but otherwise doesn't have a "boss," as Kraft's Philosophy, rarely disregarded, is to hire the right football people and let them make the decisions.

I guess a boatload of money might make a difference, but I'd think that Pioli is looking for more independence, running his own show, rather than less.

 

[sieglo]

Why would Pioli move anywhere? He's not going to get a bigger job than he already has with the Pats. He's probably not going to get paid significantly more. He's got the best franchise in the NFL right now and a chance to make history. This speculation is idiotic.

McDaniels is another story. But hopefully he thinks of Manini as an object lesson and sticks around another couple years.

 

[Grogan's neck roll]

There's no way this happens.
McDaniels right now is like Norv Turner, blessed with talent as OC's of dynasties, but way too inexperienced on every other aspect of a football team.

Belichick is signed through 2013, why would Pioli leave before then, when he obviously loves being with the Pats and having an ideal working relationship with Belichick? He doesn't have a big ego like Parcells and doesn't feel compelled to prove anything more or have more power.

McDaniels is more like Mangini than like Norv Turner, as he doesn't have Turner's history. There have been several in the media who I have heard say that McDaniels is a hot commodity as a potential head coach.

 

[aluminum seats]

This goes on w/Pioli every year--he'll go to the Giants! It's his dream job! Oh wait, Atlanta! He's going to Atlanta! etc. etc. BB & Pioli are staying put AT LEAST as long as Brady is QB. They're making a pile, and they've been building the greatest dynasty in football history. These rumours are laughable.

 

[Grizzafted]

If Pioli didn't go to the Giants last year, he's sure as hell not going to the Falcons this year.

This is just PFT thinking out loud, filling column space.

 

[Grizzafted]

Anyone here, want to leave your job to go and work for your father-in-law??

Anyone???

I didn't think so.

hahaha. well played my man.

 

[BionicPatriot]

Pioli IMO would prefer being in New England over Atlanta every time. It's a more independent situation, It's a two headed monster, all the accomplishments. Pioli leaving NE kills the two headed monster and hurts both him and Bill. I just don't think he'd leave such a great situation.

McDaniels, you people are crazy to think he wont leave. I wouldn't be surprised if he did. Teams are stupid, you see how they jump all over the Pats players and coaches? You gotta be outta your mind if you think McDaniels wouldn't leave to get his own team in his own control. Coaches all have egos and they all want their own things. I'd love for him to stay to keep continuity going, but it wont kill us just like Mangini didn't.

 

[Amnorix]

Pioli and BB are best friends. Parcells is Pioli's father-in-law. Would you rather work with one of your best friends, or you father-in-law. That's a toughie...

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Pioli has worked under pops before and seen what its like. Dallas Parcells Pioli also grew up living the vagabond life and saw it (along with his ego) ruin her fathers marriage and most of his personal relationships.

Pioli turned down a bazillion dollars from Paul Allen to have total control in Seattle. If and when he decides to leave here, it won't be to work for his transient father in law. Or to take a shot at salvaging a franchise built on personality because the fan base in the area isn't really all that keen on a football team otherwise.

As for Josh, he's not bolting to a franchise with NO QB just to get a couple of years as a failed HC added to his resume. I love the characterization of Charlie as a Parcells guy...Charlie would just as soon go 0-12 at ND as work for the man who benched him as an OC and whom he testified against when the league was arbitrating the whole BB to the Pats fiasco in NY.

Speculation is what it is, but absent any understanding of who these players are as individuals - and PFT has none - it's just flinging crap against the wall in the hopes something might stick.

BTW if Parcells were stupid enough to want Tannenbaum at this juncture, who is only butting heads with Mangini because he's losing with the talent they assembled after the little coup they engineered in NY, Arthur just wasted his money again only on a VP. And it would constitute the final proof positive that Bill was right when he warned Eric that the JETS organization was a career killer anyone who planned on a future in the league should run away from and not towards.

 

[PantsB]

Pioli leaving makes zero sense. The grocery shopping role will be filled by Parcells.

McDaniels makes much more sense. If he gets a decent Def Coordinator and Parcells as his adviser to counter his lack of experience, he might not be in over his head (which otherwise I think he would be for a few more years).

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

If Pioli wanted to shadow Parcells he would have gone to Dallas.