Jason Garrett Ravens Next Coach

[JimBone]

WNST is reporting the Ravens are expected to offer him the job. He and his wife are in town. Do you like the move?

[HoustonRaven]

Isnt this already being discussed on another thread?

ESPN is saying he is in town for a 2nd interview. WNST has been wrong before -- and it's not like they are going out on a limb anyway.

[camdenyard]

Who the hell knows.

I think any assistant that can communicate with players, can hire the right assistants, who knows the game and how to prepare for an opponent has a chance to succeed as a head coach.

That said, many have flamed out.

I'd say he has as good a shot as anyone.

[PD101]

WNST is reporting the Ravens are expected to offer him the job. He and his wife are in town. Do you like the move?
I really don't know anything about him except he is suppose to be one of the brightest and most prepared coaches around. I think the question is can he who ever they pick change the tenor of this team. But picking a coach is a lot like picking a QB, you never know what you have until the ball is snapped.

[TTRaven]

I really don't know anything about him except he is suppose to be one of the brightest and most prepared coaches around. I think the question is can he who ever they pick change the tenor of this team. But picking a coach is a lot like picking a QB, you never know what you have until the ball is snapped.

Exactly! We all can sit here and speculate until we're blue in the face. The truth is no one has any idea of what Garrett can do as a head coach.

[duffybr]

Glad to see someone pointed out there was already a thread about billick's replacement. Relax. Some of us dont want to check a ten page thread to see if something might be new.

Garrett ? Who knows how good he is

[HoustonRaven]

Some of us dont want to check a ten page thread to see if something might be new.

That's why you check the end. They are in sequential order, newbie. :insane:

[purplepoe]

That's why you check the end. They are in sequential order, newbie. :insane:

What's the problem with starting a thread when there's a report that the job will be offered to one of the candidates being talked about in the other thread?

PP

[ravenjoe]

I really don't know anything about him except he is suppose to be one of the brightest and most prepared coaches around.

I seem to remember another coach who was bright, prepared, and was the top OC in the entire NFL - we all saw where those qualities got him! If this guy is Ozzie's Top choice, I have no problem with it; but if this is Cass's/Bisciotti's guy, I have a Real problem with it.

[purplepoe]

I seem to remember another coach who was bright, prepared, and was the top OC in the entire NFL - we all saw where those qualities got him! If this guy is Ozzie's Top choice, I have no problem with it; but if this is Cass's/Bisciotti's guy, I have a Real problem with it.

A Super Bowl Ring, 2 Division titles, 4 playoff appearances, and an overall winning record for 9 seasons.

What are your expectations of whoever becomes the HC of this team?

PP

[UKRavenStockers]

I seem to remember another coach who was bright, prepared, and was the top OC in the entire NFL - we all saw where those qualities got him! If this guy is Ozzie's Top choice, I have no problem with it; but if this is Cass's/Bisciotti's guy, I have a Real problem with it.

Yeah, a superbowl win, two division titles and a further wildcard playoff appearance with a 5-3 playoff record. I'll take a repeat of that quite happily.

[HoustonRaven]

A Super Bowl Ring, 2 Division titles, 4 playoff appearances, and an overall winning record for 9 seasons.

What are your expectations of whoever becomes the HC of this team?

PP

The same minus the predictable offense and an honest shot at another Super Bowl.

[ravenjoe]

So why then did we fire Billick?!

As we found out under Billick, a team without discipline and focus will inevitably fail. This is not to suggest this guy will fail; but the head football guy NEEDS to make this call - Not Cass/Bissciotti!!

[purplepoe]

The same minus the predictable offense and an honest shot at another Super Bowl.

Well we better get a better QB, better play from the OL, better WRs, and a TE that will play more than sit.

It's certainly going to be interesting to see just how much this offense will change and/or improve by simply changing the coach.

With the cap situation the way it is, it looks like we're most likely gonna have many of the same faces back.

Color me skeptical that any HC/OC can make this offense much more than what we've seen.

PP

[purplepoe]

So why then did we fire Billick?!

As we found out under Billick, a team without discipline and focus will inevitably fail. This is not to suggest this guy will fail; but the head football guy NEEDS to make this call - Not Cass/Bissciotti!!

Im with you on the idea of football people making the call.

But I got news for ya.

Bisciotti is gonna make the final call.

I just hope he's paying ALOT more attention to the football people than Dick Cass.

PP

[ravenjoe]

Color me skeptical that any HC/OC can make this offense much more than what we've seen.
PP

Especially with this undisciplined group! This is a FOOTBALL team which needs focus, and a leader who can INSTILL that quality into the team! I hope he is Ozzie's First choice; if not, the 'Oriole Way' of recent history will repeat itself!

[Baltoman07]

Newsome make the call? Please...if you saw the press conference, you'd know he's not the leader of this team

[PurpleRulz]

What makes you think this decision is not coming from Ozzie? I think Bisciotti deserves a voice in the matter seeing as he is the owner of the team. SB said that Ozzie is leading the HC search.

As for Garrett, this is the hire I would make and he is a perfect fit. Folks say that he has Romo and TO to look good, but Tony Romo was a UDFA QB that was developed under Garrett's watch. No one knew who Romo was until last season, so let's not think Romo was projected to be a star QB. (Some may argue that Romo is just in the Dallas hype machine). Garrett also helped Bernie Kosar get ready. This is a lot of QB development that Garrett is involved.

Yes, Garrett only three years coaching experience, but Jack Del Rio was a DC for only one season before taking the Jax HC job.

Garrett is the man for the job.

[purplepoe]

Newsome make the call? Please...if you saw the press conference, you'd know he's not the leader of this team

He certainly seemed out of the loop.

O to be a fly on the wall during this whole search process.

PP

[StingerNLG]

Wow. I see while I've been busy we're even fighting about the new coach that isn't here yet. :)

The only issue I have with Garrett is that it's all fine and dandy to be a playoff contender with Tony Romo and T.O.. What's he going to do with our lot?

Hey, at least we are getting the job done before it's too late!

[TTRaven]

POSTED 7:48 p.m. EST, January 14, 2008

GARRETT IS BACK IN BALTIMORE

Both Adam Schefter of NFL Network and Nestor Aparicio of WNST in Baltimore report that Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett will interview with the Ravens for a second time on Tuesday.

Per WNST, Garrett is already back in town, with this wife, Brill.

There has been much speculation that Garrett is the favorite of owner Steve Bisciotti, and that G.M. Ozzie Newsome would prefer to hire Marty Schottenheimer.

But Garrett, 41, might have the inside track because Bisciotti, we predict, wants to make a Rooney-style, once-in-a-generation hire. Unless Schottenheimer, 64, plans to coach as long as Paterno, that rules him out.

Then again, some league observers think that Garrett's stock dropped when the Cowboys scored only 17 points against a dinged-up Giants defense. The beneficiary could be Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, especially if New York should find a way to topple the Packers in Lambeau on Sunday night.

Looks like Ozzie is taking the win now approach while Bisciotti and others are taking the build for the future approach.

[Mr.Boh]

sounds like we will have a new coach by the 6 o'clock news tomorrow. only time will tell if this was the right decision, but based on whats available, it was a good choice.

[Purpleguy]

I don't think Garrett is any better than Billick, but out of the ugly squad they were interviewing I guess he's the best choice.

As for Dallas's offensive performance in yesterday's game, be prepared to see us look similar next season. Dallas's o-line only played marginally better than ours yesterday. The result was Romo the Great actually looking WORSE than Kyle Boller. We also don't have a receiver that is remotely close to TO. I don't even think we have a Crayton on our team. That game was an anomally for Dallas's line. It's the norm with ours. Unless Garrett can play o-line, I'm not looking for much of an improvement in offense next year.

[purplepoe]

This is just a report.

But if there's any accuracy to it then we are seeing a major shift in the way this team is being run.

Couple this report with the fact that Ozzie looked completely lost during the press conference announcing the firing of Billick and it's becoming clear, to me at least, that we are seeing the differences between our current owner and the previous owner.

We shall see how it turns out.

PP

[Mr.Boh]

This is just a report.
Couple this report with the fact that Ozzie looked completely lost during the press conference announcing the firing of Billick and it's becoming clear, to me at least, that we are seeing the differences between our current owner and the previous owner.

We shall see how it turns out.

PP
Has ozzie ever looked comfortable in front of the cameras. For god sakes it was an uncomfortable press conference. Hes a football guy, not a god damn PR expert. The day he has that expression on his face during the draft is the day i start to worry.

And purple poe/ guy. you two always respond right after each other. I'm pretty sure youre the same person having a conversation with yourself.

[purplepoe]

Has ozzie ever looked comfortable in front of the cameras. For god sakes it was an uncomfortable press conference. Hes a football guy, not a god damn PR expert. The day he has that expression on his face during the draft is the day i start to worry.

And purple poe/ guy. you two always respond right after each other. I'm pretty sure youre the same person having a conversation with yourself.

O I dunno. I would expect the GM of the team who worked with the HC for almost a decade to say a little more than "any questions" during the announcement of the firing.

Pardon me for having a different interpretation of what I saw than you.

I know it's status quo to eat and drink everything this front office serves up but Im not buying that everyone was and is on the same page regarding this whole thing.

And gimme a break about your little conspiracy.

There are people on this board who have met both myself and PG.

Take your childish accusations elsewhere.

Actually, take a look at your sig line. It's dead on.

PP

[Mr.Boh]

O I dunno. I would expect the GM of the team who worked with the HC for almost a decade to say a little more than "any questions" during the announcement of the firing.

Pardon me for having a different interpretation of what I saw than you.

I know it's status quo to eat and drink everything this front office serves up but Im not buying that everyone was and is on the same page regarding this whole thing.

And gimme a break about your little conspiracy.

There are people on this board who have met both myself and PG.

Take your childish accusations elsewhere.

PP
Poe, first, I think you read more malice into the last part of my post then I intended. It was a joke about how you two seem to often answer each others posts. Sometimes its hard to get through the intended tone in type.

As to our different takes on Ozzies role in all of this? I dont think everyone was on the same page either. But it was Bisscioti's call and he made it. It happens all the time in the work place.

[purplepoe]

Poe, first, I think you read more malice into the last part of my post then I intended. It was a joke about how you two seem to often answer each others posts. Sometimes its hard to get through the intended tone in type.

As to our different takes on Ozzies role in all of this? I dont think everyone was on the same page either. But it was Bisscioti's call and he made it. It happens all the time in the work place.

As Mike Carey said a few years ago "I felt you had malice in your heart".

Sorry for the misinterpretation.

I agree it was Bisciotti's call. I also agree that he can do whatever he wants whenever he wants.

Im just concerned about it more than others seem to be.

PP

[RavenScallywag]

Maybe he had nothing else to add...Steve did a pretty good job summing up that they wanted a change and he didn't want to throw Billick under the bus. Granted, maybe Ozzie was reserved about firing him, but it could be because he worked closely with Brian and it was an emotional day. I think it's a pretty big jump to conclusion to say that because Ozzie looked somewhat shocked, he didn't really support the decision.

And though we continue to disagree about the prospect of our OL, I still say the OL will get better with time. Yanda, Grubbs, and Chester will get better with time, and they will begin to play like a decent OL together. Likewise for Gaither and Terry, though they have GINORMOUS shoes to fill, so it will always appear that they are worse.

[highwater]

I think it's a pretty big jump to conclusion to say that because Ozzie looked somewhat shocked, he didn't really support the decision.

I respectfully disagree -- I don't think it's a big jump at all. We may never know, but I don't think it's crazy to think that Ozzie didn't want Billick fired. It was Bisciotti's call, which is obviously his right since he owns the team, but that doesn't mean Ozzie agreed with the decision.

At this point, I guess it doesn't really matter, because the decision has been made.

[Dginzu]

Ozzie has always preferred being out of the spotlight. Why would that change during an uncomfortable press conference about a firing?

What intrigues me about Garrett is Bernie Kosar's comments about him being the only player that helped him in 14 plus years in the league. So it sounds like he is more then just running a loaded offense, it sounds like he was breaking down stuff when he was an overachieving player in the league.

[ravenjoe]

I think Bisciotti deserves a voice in the matter seeing as he is the owner of the team. ...Tony Romo was a UDFA QB that was developed under Garrett's watch.
Then why have Ozzie Newsome, if the owner is going to assume responsibility for making the biggest decision in this team's short history. He pays Ozzie the big bucks to make these decisions, because Ozzie, and Not Cass or SB, is a FOOTBALL guy. Geez, this is sounding more and more like the Warehouse gang all over again!

Also, Tony Romo has natural instincts that were not developed by Garrett, so let's not attribute that to Garrett; i.e is it also safe to assume that Bill Walsh developed Joe Montana - I sure wouldn't!

[Purpleguy]

It seems that if the owner is making popular decisions like firing a coach the fans dislike than it's OK.

I remember 12 years ago when Peter Angelos was a hero and we were bringing in Robbie Alomar, Davey Johnson, Jimmy Key, Bobby Bonilla, etc.. Then all of the sudden the team doesn't capture the elusive brass ring and the owner get's impatient and starts undermining the pros. 12 years later and the Orioles are a tax write off for Angelos.

I'm not saying the Biscuit is an Angelos, YET, but he is dangerously teetering the path that will lead him that way.

BTW, I hope I'm not posting this too soon after Poe. I don't want to arouse any suspicions.

[StingerNLG]

Here's another interesting question.

Will the players respond to Jason Garrett? I know why Ozzie wants Schottenheimer. He's probably tired of the locker room politics, the "egoed headcases" running the team, and the lack of discipline on and off the field.

I don't fault him for that either.

You have to question whether Garrett will have control of this team, or will the team basically control him.

Will we see the end of the Ray Lewis dance??

Will we see the end of the radio shows??

Will we see a TEAM on the field, with guys who have each other's backs?

Will we see a team OFF the field who will have each other's back, and the coaches backs?

Can Garrett bring in a competent OC who will run the offense, or will he be like Billick calling the plays and running the gameplan?


No one knows. But again, I know why Ozzie wanted Marty.

[TTRaven]

Here's another interesting question.

Will the players respond to Jason Garrett? I know why Ozzie wants Schottenheimer. He's probably tired of the locker room politics, the "egoed headcases" running the team, and the lack of discipline on and off the field.

IMO if the player don't respond to Garrett, they can hit the road. I don't care if you're Ray Lewis or Matt Willis. It's times for things to change for the Ravens.

[ed from Bel Air]

G uys let face it. It is going to be Garrett, SB told us as much at the press conference. He wants the next Hall of fame coach, not a retread like Marty. Marty is backtracking so fast, it is clear this is SB.s not Ozzie's choice. SB said at the presser you have to take risks to succeed.


Garret is a risk but given his pedigree, he hAS the most upside. SB is also very impressed with J Jones. When he first bought the Ravens he was very complimentary of Jerry.

Hiring is STeve's area of expertise. This is his call, not Ozzie's

[tjameson52]

I think this was an outstanding hire (if in fact WNST is right here). Garrett is the consensus top "young" coach out there. I am happy SB's thinking about the next ten years of Ravens football, not the next two which a Marty hire would have been. Let's face it folks, the next two years belong to the Pats anyway.

Garrett has received nothing but positive reviews from those who have known him. He led a Wade Phillips team, with an over-rated QB and an inconsistent O Line, to a No. 3 ranking in the NFL (they won't crack the top 15 next year without him and Sparano). And, to those worried about his ability to control players, look at his management of TO this season. If you think Ray is going to phase him after TO, I don't know what to say. Either way, that's the no. 1 thing the 2008 season will be for...

1. Weeding out the players who don't buy into the new regime.

It will also be about...

2. Developing our future QB, which Garrett will be ideal for.
3. Allowing our young and promising O Line another year to gel.
4. Installing a completely new offensive system which will probably not bear much fruit until 2009.
5. Working in younger players on D, who can learn from our aging veterans and hopefully carry on that D's proud tradition.

Everyone, drop your playoff expectations for next year. I am looking forward to a 4-8 start to next season and a 4-0 finish, b/c 8-8 seasons lead to good things (ask Billick).

[ed from Bel Air]

i agree 100%. For those who blame the Cowboys loss on Garrett you have to be kidding me. Romo and his receivers lost that game. I am pretty sure garrett did not teach Romo and the Cowboys to:

intentionally throw away a pass and get intentional grounding penalty when there was no pressure on him

Drop all those passes

Spend more time chasing trailer trash then studying fim

choke again on the big stage

Jerry Jones look on his face at the end of that game was priceless. I think he relized how much money he tied up in a QB that cannot take the heat of being the Dallas QB

[TTRaven]

Jerry Jones look on his face at the end of that game was priceless. I think he relized how much money he tied up in a QB that cannot take the heat of being the Dallas QB

That was hilarious! Seriously though why in the hell does he do that? Does he really think the players are going to automatically turn it on and win the game?

[UKRavenGordon]

by Houston Ravens: The same minus the predictable offense and an honest shot at another Super Bowl.

I'll be completely honest right now. I'd take 3-4 years of absolute crap, I'm talking 16 wins combined kinda deal, just to win the Superbowl again. I'd love us to have a great O to go with this D but if that doesn't happen and we were to win the SB, I'd be happy.

[ravenjoe]

Well, given the consensus that Garrett is SB/Cass's pick, why is it that the ONLY Football person's decision here is not considered; i.e. I believe Marty was Ozzie's first choice, and they did not even bother to bring him in for an interview in the second go-round?! And, does this Not bother anyone that Non-Football people are selecting the HC?! It sure as hell bothers me!

[RavenScallywag]

When we hired Brian, David Modell was the "triggerman" for the search and eventual signing. He was the team president, much like Dick Cass. I don't think he had much experience with football either, except being around his father owning the Browns/Ravens.

My point in this is that a coaching decision is a balance of football knowledge and executive knowledge. As much as we need to pick a coach that knows what he's doing in football, we also need a coach that has the charisma to be a leader, and that is probably where Dick Cass and Steve Bisciotti step in.

Trust me, Ozzie isn't sitting in his office twiddling his thumbs. He's involved in this and advising. Just because Marty might be his #1, that doesn't mean he thinks every other candidate is a bad choice. To be honest, Marty is the best choice for "win right now", not for "build a long term winner". Granted, Garrett would be a risk, but so is Schottenheimer...His playoff track record has been crap so far, he's not a guy who's going to be around in 4-5 years because he'll probably be looking to retire. I mean, I'd be happy if he came here, but I'd also know we'd be going through this WHOLE thing again in a few years, because Schottenheimer will retire and we'll all bicker again about the search process and who we should pick.

[ravenjoe]

My point in this is that a coaching decision is a balance of football knowledge and executive knowledge. As much as we need to pick a coach that knows what he's doing in football, we also need a coach that has the charisma to be a leader, and that is probably where Dick Cass and Steve Bisciotti step in.
Nice post wag; however, I believe the balance should involve Ozzie making the Final football decision, after first consulting with the corporate guys, and the corporate guys doing whatever it is that corporate guys do. I would expect Ozzie to factor in the leadership qualities in his decision-making.

[UKRavenStockers]

Well, given the consensus that Garrett is SB/Cass's pick, why is it that the ONLY Football person's decision here is not considered; i.e. I believe Marty was Ozzie's first choice, and they did not even bother to bring him in for an interview in the second go-round?! And, does this Not bother anyone that Non-Football people are selecting the HC?! It sure as hell bothers me!

To the best of my knowledge the 2nd go round has only just started with Garrett's second interview, should these reports be off base and Garrett does actually leave for his interview in Atlanta, who's to say we won't bring Schottenheimer in?

[Ravenator]

Whats all the arguing that Cass/Bisciotti are making the decision on who the coach should be? Didn't Modell have some say in who the coach was going to be when we hired Billick and wasn't Billick Ozzie's boy? This just seems to be a little ridiculous that we think Newsome is any smarter then Bisciotti.

Ohh and by the way I stand by the idea that firing Billick was a terrible decision and most likely will cost us at least one if not two more seasons before we are good again. It is going to take a little while to get the players that fit into Garretts system. We don't have Tony Romo or TO on the outside. Also it will take many of the Offensive players a season or two in order to grasp the new system.

Just my Two Cents though.

[Ravenator]

ohh and by the way The Sun reported that they brought Garrett back in at 10 AM today to possibly strike a deal. Looks as if he will be the next coach.

[RavenScallywag]

There's also been some conflicting reports about Schottehimer's intentions...

http://www.miamiherald.com/616/story/376383.html

In that link, Schottenheimer says he might prefer just staying home and playing with his grandchildren than returning to coaching. So maybe we had some discussions, but Marty wanted more time to think it over and now the thought is his heart really wouldn't be in it...

[HoustonRaven]

Where the f%$# is all this dissention coming from?

For those of you who think Ozzie is on one page and Bisciotti, Cass et. all. are on another, please tell me where you're getting this from. If you say WNST, Im going to be really disappointed. Not surprising, this "theory" always seems to come from those who were against the Billick firing.

There is not one shred of evidence to suggest this yet, not only are some here saying its fact, but then they are using this to suggest there is some strife in the coaching pick. Some have used the fact he didnt talk much during the presser -- well, go back and watch the McGahee signing and tell me how much talking he did there, too. By that backass logic, he wasnt on board with the McGahee deal either?

The Setting Sun is good at unfounded rumors, some people in here are not!

[Dade]

Just heard on ESPN First Take that it will be announced as early as today that Garrett is the new HC. Their source? The Baltimore Sun.

[Greg]

I was against firing Billick but I have no issue with Cass and Bisciotti hiring the next guy.

This isn't an Xs and Os decision, or a football talent decision, Garrett and Schottenheimer and whoever else don't know much more than anybody else in the NFL about football. They all have each others' playbooks and a slant and go in one book is a sluggo in another, but the routes and blocking schemes are all known and for the most part used in each and every system.

Hiring a HC is about hiring a leader, an organizer, a motivator and a manager. He needs to wear a lot of different hats. The key is that he realize his weak areas and hire people to help him wear those hats. A non-football person who has spent his life hiring people, Bisciotti, is more qualified than a football person in making that call.

Again, I wanted to keep Billick, and for the most part I have not been bowled over by anybody YET. But I also wasn't last time, until I heard Billick speak. After hearing him I told Clown fans if he didn't win a Super Bowl it wouldn't be his fault, it would be the FO's.

So let's see who shakes out and let's give him a chance and let's hope in 12.5 months I am saying I was wrong as the Ravens sit atop the NFL peak. LET'S HOPE!

[HoustonRaven]

I was against firing Billick but I have no issue with Cass and Bisciotti hiring the next guy.

This isn't an Xs and Os decision, or a football talent decision, Garrett and Schottenheimer and whoever else don't know much more than anybody else in the NFL about football. They all have each others' playbooks and a slant and go in one book is a sluggo in another, but the routes and blocking schemes are all known and for the most part used in each and every system.

Hiring a HC is about hiring a leader, an organizer, a motivator and a manager. He needs to wear a lot of different hats. The key is that he realize his weak areas and hire people to help him wear those hats. A non-football person who has spent his life hiring people, Bisciotti, is more qualified than a football person in making that call.

Again, I wanted to keep Billick, and for the most part I have not been bowled over by anybody YET. But I also wasn't last time, until I heard Billick speak. After hearing him I told Clown fans if he didn't win a Super Bowl it wouldn't be his fault, it would be the FO's.

So let's see who shakes out and let's give him a chance and let's hope in 12.5 months I am saying I was wrong as the Ravens sit atop the NFL peak. LET'S HOPE!

Wow. Greg and I actually agree for once! :)

[Greg]

Wow. Greg and I actually agree for once!
So my logic is finally getting to you!

[ravenjoe]

A non-football person who has spent his life hiring people, Bisciotti, is more qualified than a football person in making that call.

With all due respect, Greg, I absolutely DisAgree! A Football person knows what is required to Win, Period! A corporate type like SB knows his corporate xs and os, but knows squat about what is required 'down in the trenches' to win! I hope I'm wrong; but I played ball for many a year, and I know if this guy coming in does not get the players respect, he is finished before he even gets started!

[HoustonRaven]

With all due respect, Greg, I absolutely DisAgree! A Football person knows what is required to Win, Period! A corporate type like SB knows his corporate xs and os, but knows squat about what is required 'down in the trenches' to win! I hope I'm wrong; but I played ball for many a year, and I know if this guy coming in does not get the players respect, he is finished before he even gets started!

This league has damn near hundreds of examples of football guys (namely, ex-players) who try their hand at coaching and fail miserably. By and large, your better HC's were football players at one point, but nothing that I would call excellent players. Their fortee was management, theory, motivation, etc.

[4G63]

The Biscuit and Ray Ray are close friends and I hope that SB has told him that the next coach is the BOSS and he needs to respect his position or he'll be gone.......

(I was dreaming out loud!!)

[Dade]

I was against firing Billick but I have no issue with Cass and Bisciotti hiring the next guy.

This isn't an Xs and Os decision, or a football talent decision, Garrett and Schottenheimer and whoever else don't know much more than anybody else in the NFL about football. They all have each others' playbooks and a slant and go in one book is a sluggo in another, but the routes and blocking schemes are all known and for the most part used in each and every system.

Hiring a HC is about hiring a leader, an organizer, a motivator and a manager. He needs to wear a lot of different hats. The key is that he realize his weak areas and hire people to help him wear those hats. A non-football person who has spent his life hiring people, Bisciotti, is more qualified than a football person in making that call.

Again, I wanted to keep Billick, and for the most part I have not been bowled over by anybody YET. But I also wasn't last time, until I heard Billick speak. After hearing him I told Clown fans if he didn't win a Super Bowl it wouldn't be his fault, it would be the FO's.

So let's see who shakes out and let's give him a chance and let's hope in 12.5 months I am saying I was wrong as the Ravens sit atop the NFL peak. LET'S HOPE!


Way to break down what a HC should be. Hopefully in a year you will be wrong. For now I'm gonna be patience and very skeptical about the new HC.

[HoustonRaven]

Been watching First Take and ESPN News all morning. No mention of Garret other that he's in town for the 2nd interview ... and that he's also going on interview number 2 with Atlanta, too.

The more I see about this Garret guy (and his mug is ALL over the Texas stations), the more comfortable I am with him. If we are going young and keep a coach for 10+ years like Bisciotti said, Im for this guy.

[Dade]

This league has damn near hundreds of examples of football guys (namely, ex-players) who try their hand at coaching and fail miserably. By and large, your better HC's were football players at one point, but nothing that I would call excellent players. Their fortee was management, theory, motivation, etc.

Rarely does a big superstar player cross over and coach and be successfull. The HC that are successfull played for a few years but cut that career short and become position coaches and work their way up the food chain.

For the life of me I can't figure out why people think that SB can't make any football decision because he was not a player. How many people on this board never played a single down and think they know more football than SB.

[Greg]

With all due respect, Greg, I absolutely DisAgree! A Football person knows what is required to Win, Period!
And what is required to win? The right system? Lots of "systems" win. Xs and Os knowledge is quite even among the professionals at this level, just like in the corporate world the knowledge of finance, marketing, and production is pretty even among Harvard MBAs. What set the winners apart in business are the same traits that set them apart in the NFL.


A corporate type like SB knows his corporate xs and os, but knows squat about what is required 'down in the trenches' to win!
Really? Ever played sports with him? Or anything with him? Winners know how to win, you can learn the technical aspects of anything like football. Frankly, it is a LOT less complicated than business. The traits of winners in business and sports are exactly the same, the difference is only in the field applied. Garrett, Schottenheimer, Caldwell, etc, they all are comparable in knowledge, their traits outside the football field will determine how well they can lead a group of men.


I hope I'm wrong; but I played ball for many a year, and I know if this guy coming in does not get the players respect, he is finished before he even gets started!
And his playbook won't get that respect, THE MAN HIMSELF will. If he is a leader, motivator, organizer, and manager (among other things I am probably missing) he will get the respect, his Xs and Os knowledge and a playbook the size of Montana will not.

[Dade]

Been watching First Take and ESPN News all morning. No mention of Garret other that he's in town for the 2nd interview ... and that he's also going on interview number 2 with Atlanta, too.

The more I see about this Garret guy (and his mug is ALL over the Texas stations), the more comfortable I am with him. If we are going young and keep a coach for 10+ years like Bisciotti said, Im for this guy.

It was in the first hour of First Take. It was during one of Sage Steeles updates. You can catch on the replay at 12:00.

[RavenScallywag]

I think it's a balance in the end...If you're looking for someone who just has good football knowledge and skills, but nothing in the leadership department, you're basically looking at an offensive or defensive architect, not a HC.

It's like a Presidential campaign...yes, you care about where the candidate stands on the issues and how much experience they have, but every race is decided by the "X-factor"...How much do you believe in that candidate? How well does that candidate represent your organization? Is this candidate going to stick by their guns or fold under pressure?

These are all managerial decisions, not football decisions. Yes, Ozzie needs to be involved and essential to the process, but I think Bisciotti and Cass are equally as important. At the end of the day, it is Bisciotti's RESPONSIBILITY to field a good team and make this organization a well managed, money making franchise. He does this by finding us a great coach who can lead us into the next era, not by grabbing a guy who's only going to be here a few years and win for the now. I completely understand it Bisciotti's call to make because his job is to satisfy Baltimore and the fans. He then delegates jobs to Dick Cass and Ozzie to make sure the team is run well and efficient. By the same token, a good HC is going to delegate to an OC and DC to draw up good schemes and make the good football decisions to put them in position to win.

[ravenjoe]

Winners know how to win, you can learn the technical aspects of anything like football. Frankly, it is a LOT less complicated than business.
We'll just have to agree to disagree! Technical aspects (in and of itself) does NOT a winner make in Football. We just fired a coach who presumably knew all about the 'technical' aspects of football.

[ravenjoe]

At the end of the day, it is Bisciotti's RESPONSIBILITY to field a good team and make this organization a well managed, money making franchise. He does this by finding us a great coach who can lead us into the next era, not by grabbing a guy who's only going to be here a few years and win for the now.
I believe it is SB job to find the RIGHT person to run the football end of things, which includes selecting the RIGHT coach for the job. If Ozzie fails in this dept, then he gets fired and SB hires someone else.

[Mwjergs]

Head coaches are managers. They are the attitude of the team. They oversee all aspects and should have the personality that fits them and their team usually takes the persona of the coach.

Billick provided an ego or attitude in the early days and it was something they needed. However when there was roster turnover there was a need for personal accountability and discipline. Billick did not have the same outward persona that he exhibited in the last few seasons that he did before. Perhaps due to Bischotti's public flogging.

Anyway that's what I want from my head coach. I want a leader. I want direction. This current team needs discipline in a huge way. It needs a fresh approach on offense and it simply needs better play from the players.

Is Garrett the man? Who knows? No one knew about Billick and here we are.

[Greg]

We'll just have to agree to disagree! Technical aspects (in and of itself) does NOT a winner make in Football. We just fired a coach who presumably knew all about the 'technical' aspects of football.
Uh, you just agreed with my take. The technical aspects of football would be the aspects Ozzie would know, the intangibles and tangibles of the qualities I listed would be Bisciotti's department.

To sum up, Ozzie would know the technical aspect better than Bisciotti, and the candidates we are considering should all be presumed to be equally as well schooled. The difference is what they bring outside their football abilities.

[ravenjoe]

Head coaches are managers. They are the attitude of the team.

Exactly! Lombardi, Cowher, Earl were all LEADERS in every sense of the word, and their teams reflected their Attitude. I think one of Billick's problems (in the end) was his inability to inspire his team like he did when he first got here. He brought a certain swagger with him from Minnesota, which he lost as the years went by.

[Purpleguy]

Exactly! Lombardi, Cowher, Earl were all LEADERS in every sense of the word, and their teams reflected their Attitude. I think one of Billick's problems (in the end) was his inability to inspire his team like he did when he first got here. He brought a certain swagger with him from Minnesota, which he lost as the years went by.

The day that the Biscuit dressed down Billick on TV was the day that the players knew they ran this organization. That belief has only been solidified when Billick was fired.

[ravenjoe]

The day that the Biscuit dressed down Billick on TV was the day that the players knew they ran this organization. That belief has only been solidified when Billick was fired.
I agree with you 100%. The team lost respect for their leader, and it's hard to follow someone into battle whom you do not respect. SB should've discussed this with BB Behind closed doors, with noone around, rather than throwing him under the bus, which is effectively what happened. It was all downhill after that.

[AZRAVEN]

I agree with you 100%. The team lost respect for their leader, and it's hard to follow someone into battle whom you do not respect. SB should've discussed this with BB Behind closed doors, with noone around, rather than throwing him under the bus, which is effectively what happened. It was all downhill after that.

AMEN! I hope Mr Whimsey has learned his lesson for future "issues". It may come to the front very soon when the new guy takes over. Don't think for a minute the vets aren't going to test the new coach and if Mr Whimsey folds like he did in dressing Billick down in public it will be all over for whoever he annoints now.