The Head coach can be a genius - BUT if he doesn't get or hire the right/good to great coaches it won't matter . Take a look at the staff under Bill Walsh- Then a really great example was Mike Holmgren in Green Bay! Unfortunately for MH and us and the Seahawks when his D coordinator got sick/etc. he wasn't prepared or had the right guy ready under him at the time/ or maybe it was just not the right number two's and (unfortunately) number three guy's ready to play!
Seems like the Seahawks are getting a lot of positive and very positive grades from the "experts" or just people in general. Always makes me nervous.
However, Ben Baldwin doesn't like the hire so that is a big positive.
One thing for sure ... there is a ton of work to do and highly important decisions to make. Maybe the Jimmy Lake hire is too fresh in my head ... but that OC decision cannot be any bigger.
I think they got a decent chance to get someone good ... But this is a massive risk with going with Mike Mac over a guy like Ben Johnson/Kafka.
So far so good but long ways to go. Fingers crossed.
Six years ago, I was diagnosed with and successfully (so far, so good) treated for prostate cancer. Because of my age and the nature of the diagnosis, there was no clear direction for treatment. All I knew was that I had a choice between a radiation and a radical prostectomy and that my chances of surviving were the same either way. There were pluses and minuses to both, and the choice was up to me.
Well, naturally I did a lot of reading and consulting with docs. Here’s what’s relevant to the Seahawks coaching choice: The author of a strongly pro-surgery book nonetheless stated plainly that as much he recommended an RP, you were always better off with a good radiation oncologist than a bad surgeon.
That’s why from the beginning I’ve viewed offense / defense as a tiebreaker that takes a back seat to traits like leadership, philosophy, organizational skills, communication skills, ability to build a staff, and the relationship with the GM. It doesn’t matter how good a coordinator an assistant coach is if he’s not head coach material.
This isn’t to say that Mike Kafka isn’t a future head coach or that John Schneider wouldn’t have liked to hire an offensive coach. It is to say that the man is more important than the side of the ball he comes from. If Mike MacDonald is the man, no one will care about anything else.
Have Myeloma - and it is VERY important Who you get/chose to work with you- Philosophy /treatment etc. on and on! Don't really see a diff with Coaching! get the guy that has a history , BUT a philosophy that you believe in and the run with it!
This might bode well for Geno. The top priority will be to establish MacDonald’s credibility as the new HC. For Schneider to keep his job, he needs to show that MacDonald was a good choice, To do that, he needs the defense to succeed. Most of the stale contracts are on the defensive side. The upcoming draft and trades will be all about defense. QB, WR, RB, and some of the OL are relatively stable. Gotta deal with TE, some OL, and probably one WR. But the big investments and changes will be on the D.
HOME RUN HIRE!! Wanted an innovative coach on either side of the ball and got it. So stoked. He should bring in a few guys and coach/scheme our current players to the best of their abilities. Excited to see what's in store for Spoon!!
I'm ok with this. I kept asking for major changes and taking a swing, and this is certainly that! I have a lot of respect for the organization, the owners and JS, for not taking the easy/safe options available. For taking their time, sticking to their guns. I feel far more engaged and behind this team than at any point in the last 18-months.
No for the OC, DC and other staffing hires! For the wild Draft speculation! All that crazy roster building fun! Guys, the ride has just started! LETS FUCKING GO SEAHAWKS!!!
I'm probably in a minority most likely born of ignorance.
I think an OC isn't going to be very good without a very good understanding of how the opposing defense is likely to respond. I think a DC isn't going to be very good without a very good understanding of how the opposing offense is likely to respond. I don't think either will be very good without being able to adapt during the course of a game.
I think neither will be any good as HC unless they know how to recognize a good one of the other flavor. Pick the person you hated to play against and let him challenge during practice.
In later Don James era at UW he had Keith Gilbertson at OC and Jim Lambright at DC. They were famous for designing schemes and then testing against each other’s unit. I’m pretty sure some of their innovations are still at work. Lambright was big on attacking type defenses and Gilbertson ran a creative air attack supported by a solid ground game.
Their 1991 team is still considered one of the best college teams ever.
You nailed it close, Ken. Not an easy thing to do with JS. I fully expected we'd be saying Who? From where? While Kafka appears a solid option at OC, I expect we'll soon be asking Who? From where? Let's realize we now have a classic full-time HC backed up by a genius GM.
Those decisions ,my understanding were a joint decision , most times- But it would be nice to truly know. For there have been some really poor choices over the years on D-line and O-line!
I remain skeptical because ya know, we should. Swing from the oldest (second oldest?) coach the youngest. Let’s start a movement. Can’t wait to see the staff fill out and happy I subscribd this year to get those well researched takes - no shortage of news to keep up with this offseason.
3 Defense guys that Boomed when McD came are free gents this year: LB Queen; DT Madabuike (sp?) and DE Clowney, who made it through the whole year and set new stats for himself. Mike seems like a guy Jamal could gain new life with? I suspect he may have been a point of friction with Pete/Hurtt and JS, as he is a guy who'd call bullshit if something was bad. John sold the farm to get him, let's not forget...
True that. Cap space is a serious issue, to boot. Too much backroom crap tp parse, though. Diminished capacity will end his tradability, making it really hurt. If he's good to go, a contract revision would be my first guess for him to stay.
Happy with this hire. My first choice was Harbaugh, which was probably never going to happen from the jump, but the more I read about Johnson and MacDonald, I would have been happy with either.
I think this was probably number 1 choice for (although many others would've been fine too) as I think it can provide the quickest route to big differences.
Hopefully, Mike Mac brings over his style of defense which will be completely different from the bend but don't break we have had forever, that lets the opposing team chew up the clock and leaves our offense in tough spots.
The risk is we have no idea how he will be at the CEO head coaching position, but every coach comes with risks.
Step 1 gets a check from me. Glad its over.
Next steps:
- fill out the decimated coaching staff ... who is the OC?
- What to do with Geno? Lock?
- What to do with free agents? (Specifically, for me Leo Williams and Brooks)
On Offense ,All they need is a top notch FA center ( Very Important!) and then draft a Tackle for safety concerns. I feel Olu and Bradfore fight it out for RG- I see Olu winning ,and it stills give you your backup center. Other than direction of who/when on the QB issue , which IMHO I would shake the dice this year with Geno or cut him and go with Lock ,but draft a QB -round 3 or 4- Maybe move up to round 2 for someone JS likes- The one place I do really trust him ,is his view on QB's-
This hire also suggests to me that maybe there was a plan when Pete was let go. Which is big.
Maybe it was Ben Johnson and Mike Mac in whichever order as 1/2 candidates which is what the wait was for.
I am sure, JS was very impressed, like we all were, watching the Ravens defense run circles around us. Probably the best audition tape one could have.
I also believe that the Ravens defense is cutting edge and their isn't many else like it in the NFL yet (Vikings come to mind). That is a huge benefit to be ahead of the curve.
I think we will find a good OC no problem. There are now a bunch out there. Kafka would be great, Kellen Moore? etc.
Kafka would be ideal. We need someone that will be available to develop the young players on offense as I suspect John will pick a QB. The offseason will be very interesting.
Personally I am glad Hurtt is gone- I know he was working with Pete, BUT what we've been told, Pete let guys coach until he felt he had to step in - which was too late here!
The Head coach can be a genius - BUT if he doesn't get or hire the right/good to great coaches it won't matter . Take a look at the staff under Bill Walsh- Then a really great example was Mike Holmgren in Green Bay! Unfortunately for MH and us and the Seahawks when his D coordinator got sick/etc. he wasn't prepared or had the right guy ready under him at the time/ or maybe it was just not the right number two's and (unfortunately) number three guy's ready to play!
Seems like the Seahawks are getting a lot of positive and very positive grades from the "experts" or just people in general. Always makes me nervous.
However, Ben Baldwin doesn't like the hire so that is a big positive.
One thing for sure ... there is a ton of work to do and highly important decisions to make. Maybe the Jimmy Lake hire is too fresh in my head ... but that OC decision cannot be any bigger.
I think they got a decent chance to get someone good ... But this is a massive risk with going with Mike Mac over a guy like Ben Johnson/Kafka.
So far so good but long ways to go. Fingers crossed.
“ However, Ben Baldwin doesn't like the hire so that is a big positive.”
You just made my day!
Haha ... I knew I loved reading your opinions!
This phase of fan angst is officially over!
Re the OC / DC debate:
Six years ago, I was diagnosed with and successfully (so far, so good) treated for prostate cancer. Because of my age and the nature of the diagnosis, there was no clear direction for treatment. All I knew was that I had a choice between a radiation and a radical prostectomy and that my chances of surviving were the same either way. There were pluses and minuses to both, and the choice was up to me.
Well, naturally I did a lot of reading and consulting with docs. Here’s what’s relevant to the Seahawks coaching choice: The author of a strongly pro-surgery book nonetheless stated plainly that as much he recommended an RP, you were always better off with a good radiation oncologist than a bad surgeon.
That’s why from the beginning I’ve viewed offense / defense as a tiebreaker that takes a back seat to traits like leadership, philosophy, organizational skills, communication skills, ability to build a staff, and the relationship with the GM. It doesn’t matter how good a coordinator an assistant coach is if he’s not head coach material.
This isn’t to say that Mike Kafka isn’t a future head coach or that John Schneider wouldn’t have liked to hire an offensive coach. It is to say that the man is more important than the side of the ball he comes from. If Mike MacDonald is the man, no one will care about anything else.
Have Myeloma - and it is VERY important Who you get/chose to work with you- Philosophy /treatment etc. on and on! Don't really see a diff with Coaching! get the guy that has a history , BUT a philosophy that you believe in and the run with it!
Exactly. Best of luck with the myeloma.
Thank you- It is one that doesn't have a cure - but research and new drugs are always making positive strides-
This might bode well for Geno. The top priority will be to establish MacDonald’s credibility as the new HC. For Schneider to keep his job, he needs to show that MacDonald was a good choice, To do that, he needs the defense to succeed. Most of the stale contracts are on the defensive side. The upcoming draft and trades will be all about defense. QB, WR, RB, and some of the OL are relatively stable. Gotta deal with TE, some OL, and probably one WR. But the big investments and changes will be on the D.
HOME RUN HIRE!! Wanted an innovative coach on either side of the ball and got it. So stoked. He should bring in a few guys and coach/scheme our current players to the best of their abilities. Excited to see what's in store for Spoon!!
Let’s go!! Excited for the future!
I'm ok with this. I kept asking for major changes and taking a swing, and this is certainly that! I have a lot of respect for the organization, the owners and JS, for not taking the easy/safe options available. For taking their time, sticking to their guns. I feel far more engaged and behind this team than at any point in the last 18-months.
No for the OC, DC and other staffing hires! For the wild Draft speculation! All that crazy roster building fun! Guys, the ride has just started! LETS FUCKING GO SEAHAWKS!!!
Let's keep the youth movement going with Klint Kubiak at OC.
I'm probably in a minority most likely born of ignorance.
I think an OC isn't going to be very good without a very good understanding of how the opposing defense is likely to respond. I think a DC isn't going to be very good without a very good understanding of how the opposing offense is likely to respond. I don't think either will be very good without being able to adapt during the course of a game.
I think neither will be any good as HC unless they know how to recognize a good one of the other flavor. Pick the person you hated to play against and let him challenge during practice.
Maybe I think too much.
YES- Everybody does that- IMHO it is all about who can adjust while the game is being played - Again IMHO Pete and his staff were very weak at this !
In later Don James era at UW he had Keith Gilbertson at OC and Jim Lambright at DC. They were famous for designing schemes and then testing against each other’s unit. I’m pretty sure some of their innovations are still at work. Lambright was big on attacking type defenses and Gilbertson ran a creative air attack supported by a solid ground game.
Their 1991 team is still considered one of the best college teams ever.
I was a student at UW during that period and MAN were they fun to watch!
You nailed it close, Ken. Not an easy thing to do with JS. I fully expected we'd be saying Who? From where? While Kafka appears a solid option at OC, I expect we'll soon be asking Who? From where? Let's realize we now have a classic full-time HC backed up by a genius GM.
John Schneider is not Pete Carroll. He is not the one that made the stupid decisions like drafting LJ Collier in the first round.
Those decisions ,my understanding were a joint decision , most times- But it would be nice to truly know. For there have been some really poor choices over the years on D-line and O-line!
I remain skeptical because ya know, we should. Swing from the oldest (second oldest?) coach the youngest. Let’s start a movement. Can’t wait to see the staff fill out and happy I subscribd this year to get those well researched takes - no shortage of news to keep up with this offseason.
Love this hire and really excited about the future of the Seahawks!!!
3 Defense guys that Boomed when McD came are free gents this year: LB Queen; DT Madabuike (sp?) and DE Clowney, who made it through the whole year and set new stats for himself. Mike seems like a guy Jamal could gain new life with? I suspect he may have been a point of friction with Pete/Hurtt and JS, as he is a guy who'd call bullshit if something was bad. John sold the farm to get him, let's not forget...
Adams is done ,I think - If he is not going to 100% healthy there is no point in continuing this so far Failed experiment!
His body may be beyond repair. Huge bet to keep him and then he breaks down again in the first game of the year. Sad but maybe his reality
True that. Cap space is a serious issue, to boot. Too much backroom crap tp parse, though. Diminished capacity will end his tradability, making it really hurt. If he's good to go, a contract revision would be my first guess for him to stay.
I wasn't thrilled with the behavior I saw from him this past year. If it were me I'd try to trade him and then cut him if I couldn't find a partner.
Happy with this hire. My first choice was Harbaugh, which was probably never going to happen from the jump, but the more I read about Johnson and MacDonald, I would have been happy with either.
Thank god we didn't go Harbaugh!
I think this was probably number 1 choice for (although many others would've been fine too) as I think it can provide the quickest route to big differences.
Hopefully, Mike Mac brings over his style of defense which will be completely different from the bend but don't break we have had forever, that lets the opposing team chew up the clock and leaves our offense in tough spots.
The risk is we have no idea how he will be at the CEO head coaching position, but every coach comes with risks.
Step 1 gets a check from me. Glad its over.
Next steps:
- fill out the decimated coaching staff ... who is the OC?
- What to do with Geno? Lock?
- What to do with free agents? (Specifically, for me Leo Williams and Brooks)
- Plan for draft (hopefully OL)
Go Hawks ... glad this process is over!
On Offense ,All they need is a top notch FA center ( Very Important!) and then draft a Tackle for safety concerns. I feel Olu and Bradfore fight it out for RG- I see Olu winning ,and it stills give you your backup center. Other than direction of who/when on the QB issue , which IMHO I would shake the dice this year with Geno or cut him and go with Lock ,but draft a QB -round 3 or 4- Maybe move up to round 2 for someone JS likes- The one place I do really trust him ,is his view on QB's-
I like it! Give me some investment/competition on the line! At worst that gives you good backups.
This hire also suggests to me that maybe there was a plan when Pete was let go. Which is big.
Maybe it was Ben Johnson and Mike Mac in whichever order as 1/2 candidates which is what the wait was for.
I am sure, JS was very impressed, like we all were, watching the Ravens defense run circles around us. Probably the best audition tape one could have.
I also believe that the Ravens defense is cutting edge and their isn't many else like it in the NFL yet (Vikings come to mind). That is a huge benefit to be ahead of the curve.
I think we will find a good OC no problem. There are now a bunch out there. Kafka would be great, Kellen Moore? etc.
Scratch Kellen Moore: looks like the Eagles have signed him already.
I was impressed with the way the Raven defense shut down the Chiefs and 49ers.
Kafka would be ideal. We need someone that will be available to develop the young players on offense as I suspect John will pick a QB. The offseason will be very interesting.
I expect he'll keep Lock and go looking for a drafted QB to train.
That would make sense. Adam’s and maybe Diggs plus others will be gone.
They may have been sad casualties of Hurtt's limitations. I can see Jamal blowing a cork, which he did.
Personally I am glad Hurtt is gone- I know he was working with Pete, BUT what we've been told, Pete let guys coach until he felt he had to step in - which was too late here!