Vikings Message Board.Com

The problem is with guys Dan Quinn, Sean McDermont, Adam Gase, you have to view their legitimacy with strict scrutiny. Were their units so successful because of the coaching or was it because of superior talent? Granted, even with talent, they still have the make the play calls, but it is a lot easier to make calls when you have talent.

However, guys like Ray Horton, Todd Bowles, and Mike Zimmer have shown the ability to coach great defenses without elite talent. Yes, I understand you could classify Cincy as an elite defense, but look at Zimmer's work throughout his career. It was only recently that Cincy became an elite defense. This was mostly due to Zimmer's ability to coach and to help Marvin Lewis develop talent.

HardcoreVikesFan wrote:The problem is with guys Dan Quinn, Sean McDermont, Adam Gase, you have to view their legitimacy with strict scrutiny. Were their units so successful because of the coaching or was it because of superior talent? Granted, even with talent, they still have the make the play calls, but it is a lot easier to make calls when you have talent.

However, guys like Ray Horton, Todd Bowles, and Mike Zimmer have shown the ability to coach great defenses without elite talent. Yes, I understand you could classify Cincy as an elite defense, but look at Zimmer's work throughout his career. It was only recently that Cincy became an elite defense. This was mostly due to Zimmer's ability to coach and to help Marvin Lewis develop talent.

I'd hardly call the defense in Cincy "elite." Sure, they've been a tough play for anyone that has to face them, but an "elite" defense to me is one that can play top-notch ball at home and on the road. Thus far, they've only consistently done that at the former.

thatguy wrote: I'd hardly call the defense in Cincy "elite." Sure, they've been a tough play for anyone that has to face them, but an "elite" defense to me is one that can play top-notch ball at home and on the road. Thus far, they've only consistently done that at the former.

I am afraid we have different definitions of elite. Cincy was 5th in the NFL in points allowed with an average of 19 a game. They were 3rd in net yards allowed (5th in passing and 5th in rushing). I am curious as to what your definition of elite is? 2000 Baltimore? 1985 Bears? (I am asking, not being jerky).

Bevell would be an interesting pair if we got Manziel. Roman is my other offensive minded coach.

Demi wrote: Yeah, because if Rob is offered a head coaching job, he's going to say no, he'd rather be a coordinator.
Who are all "flavor of the month" guys who've had success as recently as possible. Wow Eagles had success hire their OC!

Dan Quinn is the only one that actually fits that description.

Sean McDermott has been a coaching candidate for years, I heard his name mentioned as a potential guy back when he was with the Eagles. Since then he's taken one of the weakest defenses in the league and turned them into the best.

Mike Zimmer has been successful everywhere's gone, he can make a lot out of lesser talented guys or players who struggled in the past and his player would run through a wall for the guy.

Well cross Lovie Smith off the potential candidates list.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... -to-tampa/

Jay Glazer of FOX Sports reports that Lovie Smith will become the next head coach of the Buccaneers, and that the two sides are finalizing the terms of a contract.

CalVike wrote:Rick Spielman did two segments with Paul Allen today on KFAN. I thought it was one of his better efforts, with some good talk about the coaching search. He also made some interesting comments about how he searches for a QB. First and foremost he stated that he believes he needs to work with the HC, the OC, the QB coach to find the right QB to "fit the system." Second he stated that they do their "due diligence" and go outside the building to talk to QB experts about who to pick up. I wonder just who those QB experts might be. All and all, much more interesting than typical Spielman-speak IMHO.

URL for podcast from KFAN:
http://www.kfan.com/media/podcast-paul- ... -24133502/

Doesn't sound like they talked to Dilfer........maybe they should.

It would be nice to see Mike Tice back as the OL coach. His lines were always pretty strong.

I'm glad Lovie Smith is going o Tampa. NO THANK YOU to him. It would be Leslie Frasier all over again.

ESPN reporting Lovie Smith got a 4yr deal with the Bucs

HardcoreVikesFan wrote:Well cross Lovie Smith off the potential candidates list.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... -to-tampa/

Thank goodness.

CalVike wrote:Rick Spielman did two segments with Paul Allen today on KFAN. I thought it was one of his better efforts, with some good talk about the coaching search. He also made some interesting comments about how he searches for a QB. First and foremost he stated that he believes he needs to work with the HC, the OC, the QB coach to find the right QB to "fit the system." Second he stated that they do their "due diligence" and go outside the building to talk to QB experts about who to pick up. I wonder just who those QB experts might be. All and all, much more interesting than typical Spielman-speak IMHO.

URL for podcast from KFAN:
http://www.kfan.com/media/podcast-paul- ... -24133502/

After listening to this, I truly believe in Spielman. I like how he is taking his time and taking a long look at all the possibilities out there. I really am excited for this offseason. We will have a fresh start coaching wise, good young players, and a "draft master" in Spielman. I really think Spielman will prove many haters wrong after this offseason.

Pondering Her Percy wrote: After listening to this, I truly believe in Spielman. I like how he is taking his time and taking a long look at all the possibilities out there. I really am excited for this offseason. We will have a fresh start coaching wise, good young players, and a "draft master" in Spielman. I really think Spielman will prove many haters wrong after this offseason.

I have to agree

Have to hope that Spielman has a good idea of what he's doing.
Wasn't last year his first as "THE" decision maker and not the Triangle?
Hopefully he nails an elite type of Head Coach and they bring in some top coordinators.
Offseason will be fun to mock !!!

Why have I heard nothing about interest in Jay Gruden from any team? Has Cincy told teams to back off while they are in the playoffs? I have heard speculation about Denvers OC (No not Peyton Manning, who actually is OC) than Gruden. Isn't he fairly well regarded around the league. I have heard Zimmers name mentioned (Cincys DC) but that might be all rumor considering Cincy is still in., and DC and OC from the Seahawks. I think the Vikings should be turning over more stones to get the right guy.

CalVike wrote:Rick Spielman did two segments with Paul Allen today on KFAN. I thought it was one of his better efforts, with some good talk about the coaching search. He also made some interesting comments about how he searches for a QB. First and foremost he stated that he believes he needs to work with the HC, the OC, the QB coach to find the right QB to "fit the system." Second he stated that they do their "due diligence" and go outside the building to talk to QB experts about who to pick up. I wonder just who those QB experts might be. All and all, much more interesting than typical Spielman-speak IMHO.

URL for podcast from KFAN:
http://www.kfan.com/media/podcast-paul- ... -24133502/

Thanks for that link, Dave. I finally listened to it this morning.

Spielman would make a good politician (which, I suppose, is part of the job of an NFL GM these days). I had to chuckle when he said he wants "everybody" back.

I'm not sure how to feel about the way he handled the discussion of defensive systems. He didn't sound like he had any idea whether he wants to see a 4-3 defense or a 3-4. On one hand, maybe that's okay. Perhaps he's keeping an open mind and is more concerned with finding the right coach and deferring to him on that decision than in making it himself. It's also possible that he has a stronger opinion on that subject but is keeping it to himself.

On the other hand, I'd like to think the GM would have a little more of a vision of what kind of team he's building and that would form part of his criteria for finding a coach.

Either approach could end up yielding a good result so I don't want to make a big deal out of it.

I'm curious about what sort of "QB experts" they would consult too. Former NFL QBs? Media QB analysts like Jaworski and Dilfer? Former coaches?

Let's hope it's not Matt Millen.