Speculation: Josh McDaniels to replace Jim Harbaugh as 49ers head coach?

I actually think Rex is the right choice for Atlanta and Josh for Miami. It plays to both of their strengths and weaknesses. If Rex hires a decent OC he'll have an above average QB for the first time and he'll turn that defense around. In the case of Josh that defense is pretty good and with a couple guys coming back from injury they can easily be top 10. I think Josh could further develop Tannehill and push them to the next level.

In the case of the 49ers I'm not sure I'm not sure either would want Kap but Josh would make more sense since the defense is already pretty good.

I hope and don't think he would take a job in the division so Miami is probably a moot point.

Oswlek said:

No, they don't. They've won a single game all year out of their division. One. When 40% of your wins come at the hands of Tampa, you have no stakes to a "should have been better" claim. Even if the lousy Mike Smith is your coach. The fact that they had two close losses might be meaningful if that weren't true for every team across the league.

Atlanta does have OL health issues, but they weren't impressive when healthy and, after two years of this, it is very hard to feel confident some of these guys will ever stay on the field.

Your break down of SF's roster seems etched in hyperbole. That is a team that could be more aptly described as having more talent than their record, has plenty of young talent and a there is no reason why a good GM couldn't navigate them through the age transition.

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Again, I pointed out two games where the Falcons had the game won. All they had to do was manage the clock and Mike Smith blew it and gave the ball back with enough time to get the winning score. So yes, they are hamstrung by their coach. If the Falcons do not win the NFC South, it 100% falls on Smith. Everyone said Smith was dead man walking even if the NFC South after he gave away the game to the Browns with his poor clock management .

As for the 49ers, I am not overstating it. Their biggest offensive play makers are either on the wrong side of 30 or free agents. Their stud LT is on the wrong side of 30. Many of their star defensive players in the front seven are on the wrong side of 30. Yes, they still have some good young players, but almost all of the best players are going to be over 30 next year. Patrick Willis, Joe Staley, Vernon Davis (although he is having a bad year), Anquan Boldin, and Justin Smith are their stars.

There is no reason a good GM couldn't turn around the Falcons in a year or two. They have the QB and they have plenty of cap flexibility. We have seen teams turn it around in that situation far more often than a team like the 49ers who will be losing quite a few of their best players in the next few years.

everlong said:

I actually think Rex is the right choice for Atlanta and Josh for Miami.

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Out of respect to Bill, JMD will not to to MIA. JMD might go to ATL if Dimitroff survives. However because his job is not exactly on strong footing, he might be best served brining in a seasoned HC with a track record of success.

everlong said:

In the case of the 49ers I'm not sure I'm not sure either would want Kap but Josh would make more sense since the defense is already pretty good.

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Rob summed it up best that SF is potentially looking at a rebuilding/retooling job in 2015.

robertweathers said:

Out of respect to Bill, JMD will not to to MIA. JMD might go to ATL if Dimitroff survives. However because his job is not exactly on strong footing, he might be best served brining in a seasoned HC with a track record of success.

Rob summed it up best that SF is potentially looking at a rebuilding/retooling job in 2015.

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I said as much regarding Josh in Miami.

I think the QB situation is still the biggest issue in SF. Kap hasn't shown any growth in reading defenses and if it hasn't happened by now odds are it's not going to.

robertweathers said:

Out of respect to Bill, JMD will not to to MIA. JMD might go to ATL if Dimitroff survives. However because his job is not exactly on strong footing, he might be best served brining in a seasoned HC with a track record of success.



Rob summed it up best that SF is potentially looking at a rebuilding/retooling job in 2015.

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I think that McDaniels probably won't be considered for the Atlanta job either just because of what you said. I just think it is a better situation than the 49ers. If I was McDaniels, I would stay away from both jobs.

I think Rex Ryan will go to Atlanta. I think they will want a defensive guy who will rile up the troops. I have a feeling the Falcons are much better than they play, but Mike Smith is awful as a head coach. They brought him in to change the culture that they were getting of a bunch of thugs. The problem is he turned the team too nice. They need a coach with an edge.

Although I don't think McDaniels will go to Miami, I don't think Belichick would mind him going there. The Dolphins aren't the Jets. McDaniels won't go to the Dolphins because Stephen Ross is an awful owner with no direction. I heard Belichick has advised McDaniels on which teams he should consider based on ownership (hence why he went to Denver).

everlong said:

I think the QB situation is still the biggest issue in SF. Kap hasn't shown any growth in reading defenses and if it hasn't happened by now odds are it's not going to.

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I would agree that Kap is over-rated and seems to have flattened out growth-wise. With that said, SF has problems all around. Gore has been hurt, they don't have a deep threat, their o-line is below average, their D has been very inconsistent and his HC -who is his #1 supporter is gone after the end of the season.

robertweathers said:

I would agree that Kap is over-rated and seems to have flattened out growth-wise. With that said, SF has problems all around. Gore has been hurt, they don't have a deep threat, their o-line is below average, their D has been very inconsistent and his HC -who is his #1 supporter is gone after the end of the season.

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I still think when selecting a head coaching job, the two things I would most want to consider is the QB situation and their flexibility to allow you to build the team in your image. You don't need the QB on the roster, but you gotta be in position to draft a franchise QB. Also, you need to have the cap room to add the players you want to add and dump the ones you don't. I don't see the 49ers being a good spot for either of those two needs.

Rob0729 said:

I think that McDaniels probably won't be considered for the Atlanta job either just because of what you said. I just think it is a better situation than the 49ers. If I was McDaniels, I would stay away from both jobs.

I think Rex Ryan will go to Atlanta. I think they will want a defensive guy who will rile up the troops. I have a feeling the Falcons are much better than they play, but Mike Smith is awful as a head coach. They brought him in to change the culture that they were getting of a bunch of thugs. The problem is he turned the team too nice. They need a coach with an edge.

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Yep. Both Ryan and JMD need good situations- Solid FO and ownership structures in place. Neither candidate should have personnel decision authority but I think JMD (Tebow aside) did pick a decent group of players in his two years at DEN. Not sure what influence Ryan had but we know he can win with good talent.

Rob0729 said:

Although I don't think McDaniels will go to Miami, I don't think Belichick would mind him going there. The Dolphins aren't the Jets. McDaniels won't go to the Dolphins because Stephen Ross is an awful owner with no direction. I heard Belichick has advised McDaniels on which teams he should consider based on ownership (hence why he went to Denver).

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Yea I'm not sure of the whole dynamic there. In theory, if JMD went about it the right way (unlike Mangini), BB should be ok with JMD taking whatever job allows him to take that next step in his career. What we don't know- that you point out is what kind of influence (visible or imaginary) does BB have over JMD. You cite Caserio declining the GM job w the Fins last year. Was Caserio talked out of it when BB threw some FUD out there? Don't know. We know Weis declined the Bills job in 03.

Rob0729 said:

I still think when selecting a head coaching job, the two things I would most want to consider is the QB situation and their flexibility to allow you to build the team in your image. You don't need the QB on the roster, but you gotta be in position to draft a franchise QB. Also, you need to have the cap room to add the players you want to add and dump the ones you don't. I don't see the 49ers being a good spot for either of those two needs.

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Agreed. I'd also add that with the cap flexibility and draft picks, you can trade for a QB- like what KC did with Alex Smith. While Smith is not a franchise QB, with a good D, running game and decent receivers you can win with him.

Rob0729 said:

If the Falcons do not win the NFC South, it 100% falls on Smith

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Sure, but the NFCS sucks, so that is barely an accomplishment. Atlanta in any other division is 4-12.

Rob0729 said:

There is no reason a good GM couldn't turn around the Falcons in a year or two.

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Of course. We seem teams go from 5 or less wins to the playoffs all the time, but that isn't really the topic here, it is more relative quality, not whether something can be done.

Oswlek said:

Sure, but the NFCS sucks, so that is barely an accomplishment. Atlanta in any other division is 4-12.



Of course. We seem teams go from 5 or less wins to the playoffs all the time, but that isn't really the topic here, it is more relative quality, not whether something can be done.

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The topic is which team is the best situation for McDaniels. I think it is the Falcons by a huge amount. I have said the QB and the flexibility to build a team in your image are two of the biggest factors and Atlanta provides than more than the 49ers.

The 49ers are in win soon mode because their biggest stars are older. Whatever coach that takes that job has an one to two year window. The Falcons may be farther away from being a contender, they have the flexibility to turn it around quick and have a much longer window.

Rob0729 said:

I wouldn't want the San Fran job. He is stuck with Kaepernick. Frank Gore is on his last legs. The defense is declining a bit. The NFC West is a brutal division.

Personally, I think if McDaniels leaves, he goes to Atlanta.

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I agree ... he's better off going to a team where he might get the benefit of having more time to succeed.

Everyone is writing as though the fact that Harbaugh -- the coach that dragged SF up from the depths to be one of the powerhouses of the NFL -- is leaving is no sign of deep problems in the SF organization. Of course, Harbaugh wouldn't be the first successful coach to be an impossible person to work with, but I'd be interested to know why it's assumed that all of the fault is on his side.

Ok, Florio agrees with me about Atlanta. I am starting to rethink my logic now:

Of all the jobs that will or could be opened this year, Atlanta could be the most attractive, given the presence of quarterback Matt Ryan and receiver Julio Jones.

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http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/12/21/mike-smith-insists-hes-not-coaching-for-his-job/

Rob0729 said:

Again, I pointed out two games where the Falcons had the game won. All they had to do was manage the clock and Mike Smith blew it and gave the ball back with enough time to get the winning score. So yes, they are hamstrung by their coach. If the Falcons do not win the NFC South, it 100% falls on Smith. Everyone said Smith was dead man walking even if the NFC South after he gave away the game to the Browns with his poor clock management .

As for the 49ers, I am not overstating it. Their biggest offensive play makers are either on the wrong side of 30 or free agents. Their stud LT is on the wrong side of 30. Many of their star defensive players in the front seven are on the wrong side of 30. Yes, they still have some good young players, but almost all of the best players are going to be over 30 next year. Patrick Willis, Joe Staley, Vernon Davis (although he is having a bad year), Anquan Boldin, and Justin Smith are their stars.

There is no reason a good GM couldn't turn around the Falcons in a year or two. They have the QB and they have plenty of cap flexibility. We have seen teams turn it around in that situation far more often than a team like the 49ers who will be losing quite a few of their best players in the next few years.

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Most impact free agents don't make it to market anymore. How has cap room worked for Tampa Bay? How did Miami's spending spree a few years ago work out? Cap space is no magic cure.

Atlanta has one of the worst rosters in the NFL with holes at almost every position. 49ers have at least been proactive at drafting players at the positions you mentioned while you choose not to mention Ryan, William Moore, Antone Smith, SJax, Roddy White, Harry Douglas, Justin Blalock, Sam Baker, Soliai, Babineaux, William Moore, Kroy Biermann will all be 30 or older by the beginning of next season and with the exception of Smith and Douglas, all starters.

If either MacDaniels or Caserio leave I don't believe they will go to an AFC East team. I think they will have enough opportunity so they can get what they want without putting themselves in that situation.

Armchair Quarterback said:

Most impact free agents don't make it to market anymore. How has cap room worked for Tampa Bay? How did Miami's spending spree a few years ago work out? Cap space is no magic cure.

Atlanta has one of the worst rosters in the NFL with holes at almost every position. 49ers have been proactive at drafting players at the positions you mentioned while you choose not to mention Ryan, William Moore, Antone Smith, SJax, Roddy White, Harry Douglas, Justin Blalock, Sam Baker, Soliai, Babineaux, William Moore, Kroy Biermann will all be 30 or older by the beginning of next season and with the exception of Smith and Douglas, all starters.

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Plenty of good free agents hit the open market. Marquee free agents don't.

And what does the age of the Falcons' players have to do with anything. The argument for the 49ers is to talk about their current roster and the argument for the Falcons is that they have the QB in place and the flexibility to build the roster in your image. The age of the roster only matters on a team you are trying to build a championship based on the current roster.

You are arguing the 49ers' roster is stacked. So their age is important. I am arguing that the Falcons has the QB in place and the cap flexibility to build the team in his image. So I am not counting on most of the older players to be around for very long.

And every team is proactive in drafting players to fill holes or holes that may open up in a year or two. It doesn't mean they fill those holes adequetly. I mean it is doubtful they are going to replace Justin Smith or, in a few years, Patrick Willis with a player remotely as good as the player they are replacing.

Ok the other hand I am so frigging sick of watching Patriot assistants leave for other jobs but out goes with the territory.

I would like too see the Patriots give Caserio a deal that gives him a promotion and the money to stay he 're looking term.

Rob0729 said:

Plenty of good free agents hit the open market. Marquee free agents don't.

And what does the age of the Falcons' players have to do with anything. The argument for the 49ers is to talk about their current roster and the argument for the Falcons is that they have the QB in place and the flexibility to build the roster in your image. The age of the roster only matters on a team you are trying to build a championship based on the current roster.

You are arguing the 49ers' roster is stacked. So their age is important. I am arguing that the Falcons has the QB in place and the cap flexibility to build the team in his image. So I am not counting on most of the older players to be around for very long.

And every team is proactive in drafting players to fill holes or holes that may open up in a year or two. It doesn't mean they fill those holes adequetly. I mean it is doubtful they are going to replace Justin Smith or, in a few years, Patrick Willis with a player remotely as good as the player they are replacing.

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Sure whatever, I stopped reading when you wrote I am arguing the 49ers roster is stacked.

Armchair Quarterback said:

Sure whatever, I stopped reading when you wrote I am arguing the 49ers roster is stacked.

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You are arguing it is stacked compared to the Falcons.