12-04-2020, 06:30 PM
I want Zac gone. I don't think he's the answer for the franchise, and I think he's in over his head. However, as much as I want to see him replaced, I honestly don't think they will fire him...even if he loses out, although I think that's the only sliver of hope that would lead to it happening.
I think it was Jay Morrison who had the article about the front office going into the Zac hiring with the idea that it was a long term investment and that they knew there could be some rough times before thing stared to turn around. If that's true, then we're stuck with Zac for awhile.
If that turns out to be the case, then the only option is to make things around Zac better, and hope that he can grow into being a quality head coach. So, how do they do that? First, they have to get a real GM (with previous experience and accomplishments) in the front office to make football decisions, which would mean firing Duke Tobin, who's been there for 22 years. If they're determined to ride it out with Zac, Tobin's firing would at least show the fan base they're trying to do something and not just completely standing pat and look like they're fine with the losing.
The first reaction might be to say they'll never fire Tobin, but we never thought they'd spend 145m in free agency either. Also, knowing the way the family works, whoever replaced Tobin would have to be someone that they are extremely comfortable with, someone who doesn't have a big personality and someone who would be able to work within a management framework that isn't exactly up ton par with the rest of the league.
The ideal candidate to replace Tobin might be Brian Xanders. He has been working in the Rams personnel department for the last 4 years. Prior to that, he was the asst GM, and then GM of the Broncos and oversaw the personnel department in Detroit. He also worked in personnel/football operation with Atlanta. He has 26 years of experience in scouting, personnel and football ops (including salary cap) during that time.
During his time with the Broncos, he overhauled their roster and had some great draft success:
So, let's say the Bengals did make this move - replacing Tobin with Xanders, and letting him run the show. How do they continue to improve from there? The first thing would be to allow Xanders to bring in at least a few qualified scouts to beef up that area, which has been lacking forever. Xanders has the connections and expertise to do that pretty quickly, assuming Mike would allow it, which is always the question.
One guy who could be added, who's talked about wanting to get involved with personnel/scouting/evaluating is TJ Houshmandzadeh. He's a very smart, informed analyst that is really knowledgeable of the college scene and I think he'd be a great addition.
From there, they have to find a new DC, and I think it needs to be a veteran coach, who could be a legit sounding board/right hand man for Zac...and also someone who has proven himself as a DC. The guy I think fits this bill the best is Dan Quinn. He has had success as a DC with Seattle, had early success as a HC with Atlanta and has a lot of valuable postseason experience. I think he brings stability, professionalism and has always been a guy that players have respected and spoke highly of...in contrast to Lou.
Next would be a new OL coach. I know Turner is practically family to Zac, but the front office needs to force Zac's hand here if he's unwilling to do it himself. A guy that is interesting, but maybe not very well known is Mike Sullivan, the current asst OL coach for the Titans. Sullivan has been coaching for 20 years, and has been an OL coach with Cleveland and SD previously. He's been on the Titans staff since 2014. He's worked with guys like Norv Turner, Bruce Arians, Chuck Pagano and Russ Grimm. He's said to be very good at helping to design/implement new ideas and concepts to the scheme of whoever the HC or OC is wants to run, and his experience in different offensive systems is pretty diverse. He's also a respected guy that has a good reputation with players and coaches. They could also try to bring in Willie Anderson as the asst OL coach, letting him get his feet wet and perhaps taking over at some point down the road, if he does well.
Another area I think has to be addressed sooner than later is replacing Nick Eason. His unit has underperformed greatly and just looked terrible at times. A possible candidate would be Brian Young, the pass rush specialist with NO. Dennis Allen raves about the way he attacks every aspect of coaching and how he's such a technician, preaching fundamentals. He's also a guy that played at a high level and also brings more postseason experience.
I think Zac would be better off with an OC calling the plays, whether it's Callahan or bringing someone else in, but I don't think he'll give up the play calling and I doubt the front office will force him too, at least not anytime soon.
So, these are my thoughts on how to possibly improve things if they do keep Zac. What do you guys think?
I think it was Jay Morrison who had the article about the front office going into the Zac hiring with the idea that it was a long term investment and that they knew there could be some rough times before thing stared to turn around. If that's true, then we're stuck with Zac for awhile.
If that turns out to be the case, then the only option is to make things around Zac better, and hope that he can grow into being a quality head coach. So, how do they do that? First, they have to get a real GM (with previous experience and accomplishments) in the front office to make football decisions, which would mean firing Duke Tobin, who's been there for 22 years. If they're determined to ride it out with Zac, Tobin's firing would at least show the fan base they're trying to do something and not just completely standing pat and look like they're fine with the losing.
The first reaction might be to say they'll never fire Tobin, but we never thought they'd spend 145m in free agency either. Also, knowing the way the family works, whoever replaced Tobin would have to be someone that they are extremely comfortable with, someone who doesn't have a big personality and someone who would be able to work within a management framework that isn't exactly up ton par with the rest of the league.
The ideal candidate to replace Tobin might be Brian Xanders. He has been working in the Rams personnel department for the last 4 years. Prior to that, he was the asst GM, and then GM of the Broncos and oversaw the personnel department in Detroit. He also worked in personnel/football operation with Atlanta. He has 26 years of experience in scouting, personnel and football ops (including salary cap) during that time.
During his time with the Broncos, he overhauled their roster and had some great draft success:
- Core Starters [2009-2012] - 22 (1+ year as a starter)
- Pro Bowl Players - 6
- Pro Bowl Appearances: 18 (3rd)
- Total NFL Contract Value - $920M (2nd highest in NFL history)
- Total Playtime (5th)
- Games Played (6th)
- Games Started (3rd)
- LB/Von Miller [2011 - 1] 8-year starter, 7 Pro Bowls, 5 NFL All-Pro
- WR/Demaryius Thomas [2010 - 1] 7-year starter, 4 Pro Bowls, 2 NFL All-Pro
- DC/Chris Harris [2011 - CFA] 8-year starter, 3 Pro Bowls, 3 NFL All-Pro
- TE/Julius Thomas [2011 - 4] 5-year starter, 2 Pro Bowls
- DT/Malik Jackson [2012 - 5] 8-year starter, 1 Pro Bowl
- OG/Zane Beadles [2010 - 2] 8-year starter, 1 Pro Bowl
- OT/Orlando Franklin [2011 - 2] 7-year starter
- WR/Eric Decker [2010 - 3] 6-year starter
- DT/Derek Wolfe [2012 - 2] 8-year starter
- DE/Robert Ayers [2009 - 1] 4-year starter
- DC/Perrish Cox [2010 - 5] 4-year starter
- LB/Danny Trevathan [2012 - 6] 8-year starter
- OC/J.D. Walton [2010 - 3] 3-year starter
- FS/Rahim Moore [2011 - 2] 3-year starter
- RB/Knowshon Moreno [2009 - 1] 3-year starter
- TE/Virgil Green [2011 - 7] 3-year starter
- 6 players with 1-year as core starter
So, let's say the Bengals did make this move - replacing Tobin with Xanders, and letting him run the show. How do they continue to improve from there? The first thing would be to allow Xanders to bring in at least a few qualified scouts to beef up that area, which has been lacking forever. Xanders has the connections and expertise to do that pretty quickly, assuming Mike would allow it, which is always the question.
One guy who could be added, who's talked about wanting to get involved with personnel/scouting/evaluating is TJ Houshmandzadeh. He's a very smart, informed analyst that is really knowledgeable of the college scene and I think he'd be a great addition.
From there, they have to find a new DC, and I think it needs to be a veteran coach, who could be a legit sounding board/right hand man for Zac...and also someone who has proven himself as a DC. The guy I think fits this bill the best is Dan Quinn. He has had success as a DC with Seattle, had early success as a HC with Atlanta and has a lot of valuable postseason experience. I think he brings stability, professionalism and has always been a guy that players have respected and spoke highly of...in contrast to Lou.
Next would be a new OL coach. I know Turner is practically family to Zac, but the front office needs to force Zac's hand here if he's unwilling to do it himself. A guy that is interesting, but maybe not very well known is Mike Sullivan, the current asst OL coach for the Titans. Sullivan has been coaching for 20 years, and has been an OL coach with Cleveland and SD previously. He's been on the Titans staff since 2014. He's worked with guys like Norv Turner, Bruce Arians, Chuck Pagano and Russ Grimm. He's said to be very good at helping to design/implement new ideas and concepts to the scheme of whoever the HC or OC is wants to run, and his experience in different offensive systems is pretty diverse. He's also a respected guy that has a good reputation with players and coaches. They could also try to bring in Willie Anderson as the asst OL coach, letting him get his feet wet and perhaps taking over at some point down the road, if he does well.
Another area I think has to be addressed sooner than later is replacing Nick Eason. His unit has underperformed greatly and just looked terrible at times. A possible candidate would be Brian Young, the pass rush specialist with NO. Dennis Allen raves about the way he attacks every aspect of coaching and how he's such a technician, preaching fundamentals. He's also a guy that played at a high level and also brings more postseason experience.
I think Zac would be better off with an OC calling the plays, whether it's Callahan or bringing someone else in, but I don't think he'll give up the play calling and I doubt the front office will force him too, at least not anytime soon.
So, these are my thoughts on how to possibly improve things if they do keep Zac. What do you guys think?
