USA today ranks NFL Head Coaches

faceman said

I know i'm piling on here,but this isn't the easiest era to win in. Coaches in previous eras didn't have to worry about losing their best
players in FA. There is no way in todays era you could keep a team like the 1970's Steelers together. Their talent level on the
defensive side of the ball alone would exceed the cap.

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I dont think anyone is piling on me they are just stating their opinion as I am stating mine.

Also I am not discounting Bill Belichik. He is one of only 3 active player/coaches I will use the word Hall of Fame with (which is something I like to avoid with active players/coaches as I know how difficult the process is).

I agree that post-Plan B Free Agency is a different animal but how much credit goes to the coach and how much goes to the GM? Its an interesting question I wonder about?

Nonetheless Halas, Chamberlin, and Lambeau had to contend with free enterprise as well. Halas acquired Red Grange by giving him part of the "gate". The Galloping Ghost later left after a dispute to play for the Yankees (the football Yankees).

Paul Brown had to compete against 2 entire leagues for players as he formed the core of his football team while in the AAFC. Paul Brown also has to be given credit for signing players like Motley and Bad Bill Willis when everyone else around him was stuck in an era of stupidity.

Paul Brown developed more Hall of Famers than I can name and I can name a lot. I think he would have done so in any era. In fact did you know Chuck Noll (who I left off my Top 10) was the starting OG on one of Paul Browns championship teams?

I also find it hard to take away credit from Shulas championship Dolphins roster as with the exception of Griese, Warfield and Buoniconti (the later 2 acquired from other teams) most of the players were relative unknowns. And even then some players bolted for the World Football League shortly after the championship runs (of course they returned after that flopped by some to other teams such as the Giants).

Blanton Collier had perhaps the best RB in NFL history retire early at the end of the 65 season, but he drafted well. Following the same 63 season that Jim Brown blew up the rushing record with 1800+ yards he had his replacement ready with another HoF RB he drafted in the 64 Draft (an argument I often make when discussing the merits of BPA drafting). He won the championship in 64 with Jim Brown, LeRoy Kelly, Paul Warfield, Gene Hickerson, Dick Schafrath, and 41-year old kicker Groza. Outside of that I wouldnt call the team star studded.

Paul Warfield played for the Browns until Art Modell decided to start a new Browns legacy in 1970 by trading Warfield for a draft pick so he could start drafting QBs for NEED. Good job with Mike Phipps. Oddly enough 1970 was Blantons last season as a coach.

Another cool piece a trivia since we are talking history: Did you know that before Don Shula was a coach he played DB in an NFL game against Clay Matthews (III) Grandfather?