From the New Yorker: http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2011/12/12/111212fa_fact_sanneh?currentPage=all Like they say about the SAT exam, the first answer that comes to mind is usually the best. Similarly, I believe the first Dolphins coaching rumor will turn out to be the one that holds true. It was back in October when Dan Pompei wrote Miami's head coaching job was Gruden's if he wanted it. There must have been some weight to the rumor because a week later, ESPN announced a five-year contract extension. It was enough to throw press and public off the scent even though the deal isn't effective until next September. I think his ideal situation would be a team with a first round pick high enough to take a top quarterback prospect while being able to pick his personnel man. No such job exists yet (A.J. Smith may be on the outs with Norv Turner in San Diego. However, just as Jim Harbaugh never wanted to leave the Bay area as the locals here have said, I suspect Jeff Fisher is waiting on a chance of returning to his SoCal stomping grounds). If Gruden were put off by the current openings, he could jump into the college coaching carousel going on right now. He may be open enough to dealing with someone not of his choice for a few months. We don't even know what happens to Jeff Ireland after April's draft anyway. Heck, the basis for a working relationship between the two might be as primarily simple as, "Jeff, get me RG3. Got it?" Ross wants a big name? Fine. Regardless, he'd be amiss not to have each interviewee make the case he's trustworthy enough to stay for longer than two or three years. If Gruden doesn't feel the job situation is workable, they'll pick his brain for who he feels are the best prospects out there. I wouldn't be surprised if they're doing that with Bill Cowher now and with Jon you may see him give his brother Jay a recommendation.
Out of all the "big-time" coaches we have been rumored to go after (Cowher, Gruden, Billick) Gruden is the only one that appears to have that fire in his belly still. He just looks hungry. I mean he does shows with Quarterbacks and other bits all the time, he still wakes up at like 4:00am to watch tape, and he is constantly around the game. When I look at Cowher or Billick I don't see them doing anything like that at all. I, personally am hoping we get Gruden or a young up and coming coach. The worst possible scenario is getting a Cowher or Billick and them not being 100% in.
Harbaugh reminds me of Gruden. Players coach (correct me if I'm wrong) and smart coaches. Gruden knows how to coach up a team, and won one with Brad Johnson. Gruden turned an underperforming team into a Super Bowl Champ, and Harbaugh has turned an underperforming team into a playoff team. I wouldn't mind the original version.
I don't like his knock on stats. That's not a good sign to me. He doesn't elaborate on the level of stat-geekery he thinks is "bull****". But if you have that attitude I doubt you are familiar with statistics or put much stock in them. And what worries me about that is he might be similar to Sparano, stuck in his ways and not very willing to adapt or learn something new. You don't have to fully understand the methodology, but I think it would be crazy if you didn't have a statistician on staff giving you probabilities on all sorts of game situations and helping your scouting team use stats to evaluate players.
He's been my predicted coach for us since mid-season. Now that we can officially eliminate Cowher, Gruden makes a lot of sense. Send J-Lo to his MNF trailer to "convince" him.
I wouldn't hate Gruden as our new head coach. Jeff Fisher/Jon Gruden/Les Miles/Bill Cowher for me, in order. I could get behind any one of them. Just get a QB.
Sparano was definitely a stat geek. The problem was that he focused on the wrong things. It seemed like he finally recognized it when he changed his out-dated offensive philosophy and brought in Daboll.
what makes people think that just because Marino talks doesnt mean he is a 100 % right there could be a smoke screen there too. here is my coaching choices #1 Jon Gruden #2 Bill Cowher #3 Les Miles the man has a big passion for football .plus he is not Nick Saban. #4 Mike Shula if he keeps d.c. Nolan #5 Mike Gundy the can put a great offense on the field. #6 Randy Shannon maybe , can he be a capable of being a nfl coach. #7 Andy Reid or Steve Mariuchi
I agree that he probably focused on the wrong things because if you look at all the stats and trends he would have been throwing the ball more before Daboll got here. Though one area where he used them well was probably short distance 4th downs. He was aggressive in those situations, which is weird because you would think that would translate to being more aggressive in other situations.
