OT: Firing Day in NFL

Submitted by Geaux_Blue on

Surprising, IMO, number of "firings" Sunday/Monday morning. Thus far:

Eagles fire coach Andy Reid
Bears fire coach Lovie Smith
Bills fire coach Chan Gailey
Jets fire GM Mike Tannenbaum
Browns fire coach Pat Shurmur and GM Tom Heckert
Chiefs fire coach Romeo Crennel
Jaguars fire GM Gene Smith
Chargers expected to fire coach Norv Turner and GM AJ Smith

His Dudeness

December 31st, 2012 at 2:24 PM ^

LOL That was terrific.

I was debating my buddy while home for the holidays. He was trying to explain to me that Reiff was just "being groomed" for the LT spot. I tried to explain that only QB's need "grooming" in the NFL and that Reiff has arms shorter than mine. He was not having it though.

Spartan grads will argue about the color of the sky.

TheLastHarbaugh

January 1st, 2013 at 5:35 AM ^

The Lions drafting has been beyond horrible.

IIRC, out of the 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007 draft classes, there are only 2 guys left, Calvin Johnson and Andre Fluellen. There is also a very good chance that by the start of the 2012 season, there will be no one left from the 2008 draft class either, as Gosder has been a bust, Kevin Smith will probably get let go, and I don't think they're going to pony up the cash to keep Avril.

The 2009 class was solid, with Stafford, Pettigrew, Delmas, Levy, and Sammie Lee Hill all being contributors, but the 2010, and 11 classes are already in danger of being washouts.

Suh might be the only guy left from the 2010 class, as Best's career might be over, Spievey is terrible, Fox has played in 1 game the past 2 years, Tim Toone never made the team, and Willie Young had an inspiring 0 sacks this year.

2011 will most likely be down to Fairley and Leshoure, as Titus Young may be cut for his mental issues. Leshoure didn't exactly look all that great either (although it's hard to tell how good any running back is behind the Lions' offensive line).

2012's class didn't exactly get off to a great start either. Reiff couldn't crack the starting line up over 35 year old Jeff Backus, or the terrible Gosder Cherilus. Ryan Broyles had one good game and tore his ACL. Bill Bentley did a few things before his season came to and end early on in the year due to concussions, and everyone else was relegated to special teams.  

 

TheLastHarbaugh

December 31st, 2012 at 2:49 PM ^

The Lions' character issues have been over blown. IMO, it's basically Titus Young.

Weed is illegal, and drugs are bad M'kay, but I don't think of that as being a character issue so much as an unfortunate incident.

Suh's "character issues" are a complete fabrication by ESPN to generate discussion and page views. This season, he had one non-incident that blew up into a ridiculous fire storm, courtesy of the WWL, and 1(?) roughing the passer penalty, 2 total penalties on the year.

The Lions are in desperate need of talent in the secondary. If they can steal a kid like Honey Badger and it works out, fantastic. If not, oh well. The upside is more than worth the risk.

His Dudeness

December 31st, 2012 at 2:19 PM ^

I'm ok with that idea. Hell, Vantaze Burfict ended up alright after he basically said fuck it at ASU of all places. He was a late round pick and is having a hell of a year in Cincy. I am ok with taking fliers in late rounds and Honey Badger is a hell of a talent.

Yea he might fuck up, but he might put it all together and do something special on the field. that's all I really care about from pros. Do what you want, don't kill anyone and come to play on Sunday.

TheLastHarbaugh

December 31st, 2012 at 2:40 PM ^

Take the best LT available in the 1st round, slide Reiff over to the RT spot where he belongs. Then you draft the best available guard with your 2nd round pick, and if they can trade up to get a solid pass rusher (this draft is loaded with them), that would be nice. Maybe take a late flier on a kid with character issues in the secondary (hint hint).

"RABBLE RABBLE! Still not addressing the secondary." I know, but the Lions have too many holes to fill and only one draft. They desperately need to upgrade their OLine or they're throwing a franchise QB down the toilet.

swan flu

December 31st, 2012 at 12:06 PM ^

Bears fan here. I don't have strong feelings either way about the firing of Lovie Smith. But I have gotten extremely annoyed lately by Bears fans who site Smiths stoicism as the reason they want him gone. Essentially, after a bad call the Bears fans I know apparently want our coach to throw a temper tantrum, thus demonstrating his strong desire to win... Or some shit. I don't know.

I just hope the Bears don't go and hire someone tempestuous as Josh Mcdaniels or Gruden.

Cville Blue

December 31st, 2012 at 12:27 PM ^

As a Browns fan everyone knew the house would be cleaned. While there is a good crop of young players in place, I can't imagine Cleveland is going to get the top choice. There has to be an under the radar guy that wants to be in Cleveland.

Louie C

December 31st, 2012 at 12:44 PM ^

These firings are the reason why I think the majority of teams in professional sports are a joke. These coaches tend to be sacrificial lambs for shitty owners that show no intent on making their teams better.  Really Bills, Browns, Jags,  and Chiefs? You guys have been laughingstocks for years. You think Cowher is gonna walk through the door and do a complete 180 with your team this year? You think some "sexy" college coach whose methods are effective with 18-22, but not with grown millionaires with egos is going to turn things around?

These owners should take a look at every proffesional league regardless of the sport, and look at the perenial contenders. There's a reason why they are the four or five teams that are picked to win championships every year. It's because they have a certain model that they adere to, and they draft players and hire coaches that fit that model.

M-Wolverine

December 31st, 2012 at 1:02 PM ^

You have to answer "who's available out there that's better and will take the job?" Might be an easy question with, say, the Lions. Not sure if teams like Chicago have a lot of better candidates out there. There probably is someone, but it's not a long list.

Swazi

December 31st, 2012 at 1:16 PM ^

Chan Gailey is a joke, and deserved being fired. Reid, good coach, but his time in Philly was long over.



However, I am kindve surprised Lovie got fired. Still won 10 games with an awful OL. Fire the GM if anything for never getting Cutler protection. And if KC doesn't fire Pioli, I'll be absolutely stunned.



Any word on if Scwartz is getting canned?

goblue20861

December 31st, 2012 at 1:27 PM ^

I know the perfect hires for almost every team so far:

  • Nick Saban to the Browns
  • Chip Kelly to the Eagles
  • Lane Kiffin to the Chargers
  • Kirk Ferentz to Kansas City

After all of this happens, Michigan will go in, steal ALL of their recruits, and we win a National Championship in 2013. Book it!

eamus_caeruli (not verified)

December 31st, 2012 at 1:31 PM ^

If the lions make a change, and they bring in Reid, Reid basically should take on Lovie and many of his defensive and special team coaches. Lions would be instantly better. Reid offensive schemes matched with Lovies sound defense and special teams. Lions actually draft a couple decent players and they could take over as contenders in a tough NFC north.



As a Bears fan, soft one at that, I am not sure this was the right move. Bear's issues are an aging roster that lacks depth at key positions and just can't find quality offensive lineman; which to be fair is plaguing most across the league. It will be interesting to see if the Bears try to bring in Rivera or another former Bear. That seems like something the McCaskis would do. Emery is a smart guy and made some good moves last few years, but he needs more time to build the roster. Maybe him and Lovie couldn't get on the same page from a roster standpoint.

AMazinBlue

December 31st, 2012 at 2:20 PM ^

Perennial underachiever who gets great talent and always seems to fall just short of the  playoffs and NEVER goes to the Super Bowl.

He's a good OC though.

Lions biggest problem is no discipline, no talent in the secondary and and old, slow O line that can't open a hole or protect the QB.  If it wasn't for the talent of MS and CJ and the Dline, the Lions would be 0-16 again.

If they don't get a shutdown corner, two top Olinemen and a safety, the'll repeat this 4-12 crap.

Schwartz has one more chance as I see it.  Firing him is pointless with so many other jobs out there and so few great candidates and Detroit is the graveyard of coaches.

SalvatoreQuattro

December 31st, 2012 at 2:40 PM ^

Stafford has had plenty of time to throw. The stats bear this out.The issue with the OL is that it isn't good at run blocking as well as being old.

 

 There are very few "shutdown corners". LIke in there being only a handful in the entire league. I'd settle for solid coverage guys with decent ball skills.  Secondly, you don't need "top" OL, just  solid players. Thirdly, the Lions need defensive ends who can rush the passer badly.KVB is done, Avril is gone, and the rest are backups. They also need LB's who can make plays.  Teo would be perfect in Detroit at MLB. I know they like Tulloch, but Teo is an upgrade.

 

 

UofM626

December 31st, 2012 at 2:48 PM ^

How Rex Ryan has not been canned yet. I honestly believe he kept Tebow off the field after they were sucking it up just in case they started to win. Then Rex would of been murdered by the NY Press about what took so long. I don't think either QB would of made a difference but damn he has gig to go too in NY.

uminks

December 31st, 2012 at 6:57 PM ^

If he makes it to .500 or 7-9 next season, Schwartz will ge another year.  Ford will say wow, what an improvement. He took a 4-12 team to 7-9, real progress...then you know his 3rd year will be 5-11. Typical Lions' coaching record.

Tater

December 31st, 2012 at 8:44 PM ^

This is why I never bought into the "Bobby Petrino as quitter" meme.  NFL teams have no problem and no conscience when it comes to firing coaches.  Consequently, I don't feel the least bit of sorrow for any college or NFL franchise whose coach moves on.  

Loyalty runs both ways; colleges and NFL franchises don't bother with loyalty anymore, so why should coaches?  Between the last three college seasons and "Black Monday," no coach should ever even bother with mixed emotions if he gets a chance to jump somewhere else for more money.

HarBooYa

January 1st, 2013 at 12:45 AM ^

Of the worst teams in the nfl made a major move firing their gm, hc or coordinator. My beloved Lions fire the wr coach who produced a wr who just broke Jerry frickin Rice's record. Classic.