We asked Wonder who he would like as the next Head Coach. “Rex Ryan isn’t being talked about but I like him. I should know, as a long suffering Jets fan. He took the Jets to the AFC Championship TWICE with Mark freaking Sanchez as QB. They had a very good defense and ran the ball. That’s it. So if you give Rex a QB, there’s no telling what his upside could be.”
Rex Ryan’s next stint was in Buffalo. Ryan took a QB in his 5th year as a pro who had 0.0 starts in his first four years and that QB earned his only Pro Bowl of a long career. The QB? Tyrod Taylor.
It’s really remarkable how critical it is to have a QB. Look at Caleb Williams. The Bears tried to mess him up with zero support his rookie year. Now in his second year he’s growing more comfortable. BIG PLUS- Ben Johnson is the teacher in his first year as Head Coach. Look at how Williams stays in the pocket but runs for first downs to extend drives. Sound familiar? It’s like a turnover (or inverse turnover)… The great QBs find ways to keep drives going. It’s the difference between winning and losing.
Two other names of interest- the DC of LA Rams, Chris Shula and Lou Anarumo, the DC of IND. “Shula’s done a great job with the Rams. He’s a football lifer. As to whether he’ll be a good HC, we shall see. I also like what Anarumo has done with the Colts.”
Let’s talk about our own backyard. Kafka has been good thus far. He quickly went to Jameis. He fired Bowen as soon as he realistically could. He’s calm and balanced in press conferences. When he was second-guessed by none other than President Trump for his decision to go for it on 4th down at the end of the Lion game with a 3 point lead, I wasn’t a huge believer or disbeliever in the call. Turns out there were merits to BOTH sides. Analytics actually said it was right to go for it. With Dart I definitely go for it. When reporters asked Kafka about the Trump/call, he handled the criticism perfectly, deflecting it calmly without getting defensive or upended. Call me impressed. Now does that mean he’s right for the job? There’s more I would need to know. I would really interrogate him on everything, like Wink, Daboll, culture, Bricillo, decisions like Hyatt and Neal, … frankness on EVERYTHING bringing the franchise forward and holding it back. What’s missing from KC? What does he plan to do? I’m not sold on Kafka but he’s earned a right to be interviewed. Wait until he actually plays teams that aren’t going to the playoffs/without Bowen. He’s going to collect some wins to finish the season. They still have Bowen’s passive system which they won’t be able to dislodge this late into the year. If Adebo comes back they’ll definitely win games.
You need to interview many people. The process is flawed because the people interviewing him should be the GM and President. The problem is that Mara should not be the president/in this process. He’s the problem. (I also don’t think Schoen should be the GM but I see why he’s getting a chance to keep his job.)
Let’s speak with a lot of candidates + Kafka and see what we have. Dart is going to draw considerable interest from the field. Everyone will want to have this situation. Let’s put this HC job in perspective:
The Giants aren’t that far off. They have an excellent DL that gets overshadowed by a porous back 7. But Flott and Adebo have been solid. Phillips is fine in the slot. I believe the Safeties have really suffered the most in this passive scheme. Yes, we need LBers.
The Offense is in really good shape. Both JMS and Theo Johnson are playing the best football of their career right now. JMS is finally reaching the level he was drafted for. Johnson is catching everything in his last ~4 games. Re-sign Eluemunor. ASAP. Get some road grader Guards in here. Keep Schlottman as a terrific backup. Get a WR to pair with Nabers. Keep Hodgins for depth. Cut Wilson. Winston year 2 backup. Tons of cap room to leverage Dart’s rookie contract. It’s really incredible how the Giants can have Dart surrounded by 3 solid pieces at OL plus Nabers, Johnson, and Skattebo. Keep the depth with Bellinger and Tracy.
Back to finish at Head Coach, imagine Mike Kafka and Carm Bricillo on your staff? This is why I’m not afraid of getting a DC as my new HC. Kafka will be good for Dart- don’t change the system. Bricillo has made such a difference for the OL. Schneier notes that you see it not only in the development of these players but importantly with how much tighter as a group they are in picking up twists/stunts. Pay these guys. I desperately want Carm Bricillo back.