Covington out?

[Nikolai]

I could be wrong about the nature of working Xs and Os, but my impression is that you could do it for 20 years, but if you step away for even a short time, you've got to take some time to get reacquainted and then take some time to catch up on the new wrinkles out there. I had always assumed BB's edge was due to his obsessive attention to detail on the nuances of the Xs and Os.

If the reports about Mayo are true, it seems like he took his foot off the gas and wasn't keeping up to date through the season like he should have. It would seem like a small matter, and maybe it is in a quantitative sense. But if Mayo was at 96% on his knowledge, the gap between him and the 98-99%ers out there is much bigger than it appears to be.

Then there's the matter of translating that knowledge to actually be useful on the field...the whole "leader of men" thing people are talking about lately.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Xs and Os acumen = the ability to understand how/why things work and make good judgments/quick decisions involving strategy and tactics.

Calculus actually is a good analogy. I don't think you appreciate how intricately complex it is for coaches at the pro level to devise and implement a scheme involving 11 moving parts, let alone possess mandatory working knowledge of each position's specialized techniques. THEN you need to understand the same about your opponent to effectively adjust applying it all. Again, Mayo was a position coach (linebackers) for only four seasons before a brief stint as co-DC. His playing experience, while valuable from an intuitive standpoint, was similarly limited re. coaching an entire team involving offense, defense and special teams.

If you remember his introductory press conference, Mayo sold himself to Kraft primarily as a leader. That's what he touted while offering precious little regarding a philosophical vision for how the team would play. Precisely because of his overall lack of technical football expertise, Mayo saw himself as a CEO type overseer/delegator HC (again, dubbing AVP "head coach of the offense," etc.). His ego told him his charisma would suffice while he learned on the fly. Bottom line: he was woefully unprepared and failed on all fronts.

All respect but I do appreciate it. While complex, an NFL scheme is more like algebra.

I think Mayo over delegated and was a ****ty leader. No need to overcomplicate it.

 

[Stu Pidassle]

Mayo clearly lacked Xs and Os acumen, especially for someone in the position of head coach. You needn't look any further than how badly the defense regressed on his watch. Covington was clueless how to adjust scheme-wise for personnel shortcomings both in-game and between games. As a supposed "defensive specialist," Mayo SHOULD have been able to help him out but you're talking about a guy who -- like his DC -- had no experience calling a defense (and still doesn't).

BB didn't tutor him the way one might assume. He was a linebackers coach then briefly shared DC duties with SB. SB did the defensive game planning with his dad and called defenses on game day, Mayo ran the meeting room. As for offense, well, there's a reason he dubbed AVP "offensive head coach."

Mayo was so unprepared for the job from the standpoints of both experience and working knowledge, Kraft should've had his head examined for handing him the job.

Like anyone else, Mayo had primary responsibility for his own career development. He didn't invest in preparing for the job. I have never heard of someone who wanted to become HC that did not have his vision statement and roadmap of steps for after taking the job already thought through and documented. He's the Alfred E. Neuman of coaches.

 

[Zuma]

I’m not sure about calculus or algebra but I’m guessing Rex Ryan would do just fine counting his fingers and toes. That was lame.

 

[WinstonSmith]

I’m not sure about calculus or algebra but I’m guessing Rex Ryan would do just fine counting his fingers and toes. That was lame.

So you're saying that Deion Sanders would be limited as a NFL head coach?

 

[Nikolai]

So you're saying that Deion Sanders would be limited as a NFL head coach?

So would Jason Pierre Paul, in that case...

 

[Pape]

So would Jason Pierre Paul, in that case...

that's pretty f'n funny

 

[Bobby T]

Mayo clearly lacked Xs and Os acumen, especially for someone in the position of head coach. You needn't look any further than how badly the defense regressed on his watch. Covington was clueless how to adjust scheme-wise for personnel shortcomings both in-game and between games. As a supposed "defensive specialist," Mayo SHOULD have been able to help him out but you're talking about a guy who -- like his DC -- had no experience calling a defense (and still doesn't).

BB didn't tutor him the way one might assume. He was a linebackers coach then briefly shared DC duties with SB. SB did the defensive game planning with his dad and called defenses on game day, Mayo ran the meeting room. As for offense, well, there's a reason he dubbed AVP "offensive head coach."

Mayo was so unprepared for the job from the standpoints of both experience and working knowledge, Kraft should've had his head examined for handing him the job.

Mayo was less qualified than Rod Rust. The fact that Kraft decided him to be the heir years earlier when he was even less qualified makes him the worst hire in the history of the NFL including Jeff Saturday. It really was that bad. The results were predictable. Covington over Steve equally awful. And no I don’t Mayo is a nice guy who just wasn’t ready. I think he’s a fraudulent snake that got what he deserved. ##Thundercat.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Absolutely agree! every coach in the league at every position knows Xs and Os.. as you perfectly said it's about leading.. game planning, development of players and coaches, instilling confidence in the players.. for example the DB we had when he was here Kenny Moore who ended up being an all pro caliber player. He mentioned he wanted to quit football at one point beucase of coaching.. when he went to Indy he flourished.

So Ben Johnson does not design amazing plays for the Lions because every coach in the league knows Xs and Os? Johnson's play calling expertise is way overblown because every coach at every position knows Xs and Os?

 

[Real fan 02]

So Ben Johnson does not design amazing plays for the Lions because every coach in the league knows Xs and Os? Johnson's play calling expertise is way overblown because every coach at every position knows Xs and Os?

Yes every coach in the league on a professional football team OC,DC,LB coach, DL coach, ect. Knows how to read Xs and Os. Show me where in my post I said anything about ben Johnson not designing plays.

 

[Grogan14]

The thing about Mayo is that he pissed off BB in Belichick's last year. Mayo had an attitude as "coach in waiting" and Bill felt he was disloyal. Bill has stated this. Bill brought Mayo in as a coach and Mayo stabbed him in the back.
I think part of the reason Kraft hire Mayo was to give the middle finger to Bill.
So no, I do not feel sorry for Mayo. Mayo kind of disrespected Bill and walks away with 20 million dollars for his troubles.
The whole Mayo hire was a disgrace for the franchise and probbaly the worst decision Kraft has made as an owner.

 

[Real fan 02]

The thing about Mayo is that he pissed off BB in Belichick's last year. Mayo had an attitude as "coach in waiting" and Bill felt he was disloyal. Big has stated this. Bill brought Mayo in as a coach and Mayo stabbed him in the back.
I think part of the reason Kraft hire Mayo was to give the middle finger to Bill.
So no, I do not feel sorry for Mayo. Mayo kind of disrespected Bill and walks away with 20 million dollars for his troubles.
The whole Mayo hire was a disgrace for the franchise and probbaly the worst decision Kraft has made as an owner.

Me for one I'm happy Vrabel is here and that RK realized he made a mistake. The thing is Bill knew about Mayo's contract.. he knew full well about the clause in it ect. So he had to be ok with it as Mayo was part of his staff. Mayo should have taken the opportunities that were there for him outside the organization as a DC. It would have better prepared him for a HC opportunity.

 

[Captain Cliche]

Looks to me like Stevie just swallowed his dip.
Somewhere I read that Steve B was more laid back and Brian was more intense and a hardass like his Dad.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Yes every coach in the league on a professional football team OC,DC,LB coach, DL coach, ect. Knows how to read Xs and Os. Show me where in my post I said anything about ben Johnson not designing plays.

From Football Archaeology: X's and O's are shorthand for the details of football techniques, play design, and strategy.

I am not sure what you think "Xs and Os" means but designing plays is part of "Xs and Os". Maybe you unintentionally ...................................

 

[Real fan 02]

From Football Archaeology: X's and O's are shorthand for the details of football techniques, play design, and strategy.

I am not sure what you think "Xs and Os" means but designing plays is part of "Xs and Os". Maybe you unintentionally ...................................

The premise of the post was simply to state that each and every position coach in the NFL knows Xs and Os.. it's part of the game.. game planning is a combination of utilizing the Xs and Os, the scheme, the talents of the players to execute it. Any ways it's not that serious..

 

[Force Zero Boomer]

Like anyone else, Mayo had primary responsibility for his own career development. He didn't invest in preparing for the job. I have never heard of someone who wanted to become HC that did not have his vision statement and roadmap of steps for after taking the job already thought through and documented. He's the Alfred E. Neuman of coaches.

That's because he didn't earn it: he got the position through nepotism. It's like the owner's son taking over the car dealership. He doesn't need a plan or roadmap because daddy gave it to him and he knows his position is rock solid. Mayo underestimated Kraft's commitment to the fans, because to me, that's who ultimately convinced him to change course. I was convinced Mayo was getting another year, and he would have if the fans had not come out so strongly against Jerod.

 

[Brotherblues]

The premise of the post was simply to state that each and every position coach in the NFL knows Xs and Os.. it's part of the game.. game planning is a combination of utilizing the Xs and Os, the scheme, the talents of the players to execute it. Any ways it's not that serious..

That's like saying every player knows how to run. Every defender knows how to tackle. Every QB in the league can throw a football.

The deal is how you do these things in comparison with the peers you are competing against. It is then you can say Mac can't throw, our WRs can't run or catch, Tavai can't tackle, and Mayo's X&Os are like wet farts on the team bus.

 

[Real fan 02]

That's like saying every player knows how to run. Every defender knows how to tackle. Every QB in the league can throw a football.

The deal is how you do these things in comparison with the peers you are competing against. It is then you can say Mac can't throw, our WRs can't run or catch, Tavai can't tackle, and Mayo's X&Os are like wet farts on the team bus.

The conversation got taken out of context.. your right it wasn't a disagreement at all it was just stating that any coach who's coaching in the national football league knows about Xs and Os.. so in totality I agree with yourself and @One-If-By-Sea

 

[patsfanfromoversea]