mattvan1 wrote:peeker643 wrote:mattvan1 wrote:EOD it's 9-23.
No argument there.
Question- Replace Shurmur with Fox tonight. How relevant is agent issue then? How much of a data point?
See, my issue is both were available when one was chosen. It has nothing to do with clique. It has to do with what can only be described as a shitty decision (and one you were right about when it went down).
But switch 'em. Change anything?
Sub in Jon Gruden for Shurmur if ya want. Still an agent discussion here? Is it still a symptom/data point?
Valid points. Not sure Fox was on the radar at all - no WCO, D minded guy and all that. Dude did make the playoffs with Tim Tebow at QB, so I'll give him some props. An improvemnt over Shurmur, but not by a lot.
Gruden would have been a dumster fire, but far more entertaining on the sidelines and at pressers than Shurmur. Same record, but more fun.
So yes, at this point a combo of Paul Brown, Vince Lombardi, and Chuck Knoll probably couldn't squeeze 8 wins outta this crew.
I am starting to wonder if the game has passed Holmgren by. That he is clutching to a blueprint (WCO, hire your buds, build only through the draft) that no longer works. It's tremendously frustrating, as you look at the pedigree and add Heckert and wonder why it just doesn't work. Sometimes shit gets invented as a rationalization for another season down the toilet. "Of course the guy sucks - he let his agent pick the new HC"
Of course I can see how specious my reasoning seems - had Holmgren landed RGIII I would be first in line to kiss his ass.

I think John Fox would've been a far superior hire FWIW. Much more into guys that are not married to a specific system, and adjust to the strength of the players, instead of players adjusting to him.
The Tebow situation was handled very well on a number of levels, for example. First of all, in season last year he found the best possible way to use the most important position on the field. But he was also wise enough to understand that was probably a poor way to go long term. This is why he and Elway came out and said Tebow was going to have to compete in am more traditional system going forward.
Anyway, this type of guy is the type of guy that's more likely to change with the game. Modern day NFL is about being ahead of the curve, this is the reason why the guy considered the dean is the first to figure things out like interchangability with running backs, the negatives associated with the punt, and working other teams for draft picks - and getting finances in order.
One is a legit head coach, one is a puppett on the strings of a guy who's just as entrenched in "his way," so it's little suprise how he's gonna turn out. Give me the guy with his own mind, who's not afraid to MF a gm if need be. Give me the guy that players respect, the leader of men.
And I'm not here to label John Fox an all-time great. Just pointint out that he has some qualities that it would behoove an NFL coach to have in 2012.
I'd be interested in hearing Shurmer's qualities - including those he brings from his past, that make him a good head coaching candidate anywhere. A guy who came in on the strength of his offenses (that were never all that strong) who, if not able or willing to make adjustments, is bringing a dinosaur of an offense.
The game is all about change and adjustments now. In a few years, teams are gonna figure out how to better defend the Gronks and Grahams of the league that are riddling match-ups from the TE position. And then something new will be developed by someone paying attention. Shurmer is likely to be another generation behind tossing soft crossing patterns and hitting mediocre backs out of the backfield.
Bottom line for me, while he doesn't make them close to good, John Fox wins more games last year. And all the other bullshit about setting up for the future - ya gotta start winning some games. That way you take some of the zombie out of that lockerroom. You gotta start buliding a culture at some point, you gotta stop every available free-agent from laughing when you call. There ain't a GD current player that gives a shit or respects what Mike Holmgren has done, let alone Pat Shurmer. Need the guy that can get respect NOW. Make adjustments NOW, and start some winning NOW. And no, you don't have to mortage the future to do it, as a condescending Holmgren would have some believe. How many last place f'ing schedule seasons have past with the Browns winning 5 f'ing games?
Shurmer is a joke. A Rich Kokinis never on the radar joke.