ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler: Saints Head Coach opening is a coveted job among people I’ve spoken to; Mike McCarthy could have interest (5 Viewers)

[JackDiesel]

Fuaga and Bresee appear to be definite building blocks. Granderson can also be included with them since he’s the most consistent/complete DL right now.

With the right coach and scheme, Olave, Shaheed, Gay, and Chase Young (if re-signed) are also players to build around. I believe they’re capable of having league-leading type of breakout seasons any time now with coaches who can maximize and feature their strengths. Of course, health is a big factor for them too.

Gay has a few starting seasons under his belt in his young career going back to KC. He was making play after play during their SB runs. But he’s not given a chance to show what he can fully do here yet due to most snaps going to Werner or Davis.

I think we have different definitions of building blocks. Or maybe I should have said All Pro level talent instead of building blocks. Heck we didn't even send a player to the Pro Bowl.

I like both of them but no one is trying to scheme to avoid them. Bresee is targeted against the run and Fuaga isn't shutting down the left side. Both are solid and will get better but they're not impacting game plans.

 

[SigFreudianSlip]

I think we have different definitions of building blocks. Or maybe I should have said All Pro level talent instead of building blocks. Heck we didn't even send a player to the Pro Bowl.

I like both of them but no one is trying to scheme to avoid them. Bresee is targeted against the run and Fuaga isn't shutting down the left side. Both are solid and will get better but they're not impacting game plans.

I’m not nearly as high on Bresee as most here seem to be, I am however high on Fuaga. I still think he will develop into an all pro player.

Bresee will continue to be very good as a pass rusher imo, and hopefully can get better (he has to as there’s only one way to go for him) as a run stopper.

 

[Cajun Chat]

Yes, that raised an eyebrow for me as well.

I'd say the only think that should be coveted is his familiarity with our organization. Ms. Gayle is not a meddling type owner and has shown the willingness to spend.

From a roster construction, football organization, cap issues most have said this is the least desirable option.

We are stubborn and refuse to rebuild.

 

[SpeckKillerII]

ESPN+ article blurb from this morning. I bolded a comment that I found interesting:

Any updates on the Jets, Saints and Bears openings?​

Fowler: The Saints are taking a low-key approach, with sources telling me that, as of Wednesday afternoon, their candidate list hadn't grown past Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, the Bills' Brady, Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, current interim coach Darren Rizzi, Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka and Vrabel. I expect that list to expand, but the Saints were using these seven as a launching point.

This is a coveted job among people I've spoken to recently. I've heard that Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy could have some interest, so it wouldn't shock if the Saints try to talk to him should he be free to do so (McCarthy's contract with the Cowboys expires Tuesday). Glenn still seems like the favorite, but he could have options. Glenn and Brady both have New Orleans connectivity as former Saints staffers.

Graziano: Agreed that Glenn seems like the favorite in New Orleans. He's extremely well regarded in that building and very well known because he previously worked there.

Guys we gotta pray we don’t get McCarthy! I’m sure you all remember when he was our OC under Haslet. When he was our OC we only needed to win 1 game of the final 3 games and we would have been in the playoffs. Brooks was playing terrible, throwing the ball backwards and crap. Our backup was Jake Dellhome and McCarthy wouldn’t put him in for nothing! We go 0-3 in that span and Brooks was so bad that the dome was booing him regularly. Brooks was banged up but it didn’t matter cause McCarthy wasn’t going to put Jake in. We don’t make the playoffs and Jake takes Carolina his first year after leaving us. That’s just something as a Saints fan that I will never forgive McCarthy for doing. All we needed was 1 of the final 3 games and he had too big of an ego to put the better QB in. So, I’m hard as hell NO on McCarthy!!!!

 

[St. Geezy]

Guys we gotta pray we don’t get McCarthy! I’m sure you all remember when he was our OC under Haslet. When he was our OC we only needed to win 1 game of the final 3 games and we would have been in the playoffs. Brooks was playing terrible, throwing the ball backwards and crap. Our backup was Jake Dellhome and McCarthy wouldn’t put him in for nothing! We go 0-3 in that span and Brooks was so bad that the dome was booing him regularly. Brooks was banged up but it didn’t matter cause McCarthy wasn’t going to put Jake in. We don’t make the playoffs and Jake takes Carolina his first year after leaving us. That’s just something as a Saints fan that I will never forgive McCarthy for doing. All we needed was 1 of the final 3 games and he had too big of an ego to put the better QB in. So, I’m hard as hell NO on McCarthy!!!!

You really think that was on McCarthy? You’re going to not hire a HC because of something that happened when he was an OC 24 years ago?

 

[greg8710]

It's a mixed bag. With normal cap space and drafting it could get sorted quickly. Clearing cap space means you're messing with the books for another 3 years carrying guys that are old or about to be no longer on the roster.

QB - Carr's on his way out, Rattler flashes but not consistent and not really ready.
RB - Kamara has a year or two left, Miller is always injured and lines up wrong when he's healthy.
WR - a bunch of #2 (Y and Z receivers) that can't stay healthy, no true possession #1 guy
OL - two developing tackles and a center. Hole at one guard spot and upgradable at the other but can't do anything until next year for Ruiz.
TE - JJ is wildly inconsistent and no longer cheap, Moreau is solid, Hill maybe for another year or two

DE - Granderson is here, Jordan probably taking a pay cut, and a bunch of depth from underperforming draft picks. Is Young re-signed?
DT - Breese then JAGs
LB - Werner has been trending towards pedestrian, DD is about done, nothing special behind them
CB - McKinstry is playing like a rookie, Taylor suffered from his move to the outside, nothing special behind them
S - Harris has played ok, Mathieu's age is showing, Howden regressed

I think Allen's powder puff practices had a lot to do with our inability to stay healthy and tackling issues. Hopefully the new coach fixes that and can get our younger guys back on track.

Dang…. What do you do for a living??

 

[Saint Greg]

Guys we gotta pray we don’t get McCarthy! I’m sure you all remember when he was our OC under Haslet. When he was our OC we only needed to win 1 game of the final 3 games and we would have been in the playoffs. Brooks was playing terrible, throwing the ball backwards and crap. Our backup was Jake Dellhome and McCarthy wouldn’t put him in for nothing! We go 0-3 in that span and Brooks was so bad that the dome was booing him regularly. Brooks was banged up but it didn’t matter cause McCarthy wasn’t going to put Jake in. We don’t make the playoffs and Jake takes Carolina his first year after leaving us. That’s just something as a Saints fan that I will never forgive McCarthy for doing. All we needed was 1 of the final 3 games and he had too big of an ego to put the better QB in. So, I’m hard as hell NO on McCarthy!!!!

My preference is to get a young up and coming offensive mind. But McCarthy would be a solid hire.

Before this year he had three straight 12 win seasons. One of those seasons includes a 5-0 streak with Cooper Rush as the starting QB. That’s the type of thing that’s been sinking our team.

And his team played hard for him at the end this year. Rush was 3-2 as the starter this year. McCarthy’s Career record is 174-112 .608 which isn’t far off from Payton at 170-105 .618.

At first I was totally against this but I’m warming up to it. And I think there’s a chance. The rumor was Jerry may have been waiting to see if Texas was eliminated before McCarthy’s contract expired so he could make a run at Sark and have McCarthy as the backup. I guess we’ll find out in the next couple days.

 

[RJ in Lafayette]

I saw yesterday a piece in the Athletic ranking the head-coach vacancies. In the first tier were New England, Jacksonville and Chicago. In the second tier were New Orleans, Las Vegas and the Jets. There was a big gap between the two tiers. Our salary-cap status and quarterback questions were the big factors in our ranking.

 

[j4m2b]

That's why you're not a offensive coach

We can revisit this in 2 years

 

[kcirdor]

Guys we gotta pray we don’t get McCarthy! I’m sure you all remember when he was our OC under Haslet. When he was our OC we only needed to win 1 game of the final 3 games and we would have been in the playoffs. Brooks was playing terrible, throwing the ball backwards and crap. Our backup was Jake Dellhome and McCarthy wouldn’t put him in for nothing! We go 0-3 in that span and Brooks was so bad that the dome was booing him regularly. Brooks was banged up but it didn’t matter cause McCarthy wasn’t going to put Jake in. We don’t make the playoffs and Jake takes Carolina his first year after leaving us. That’s just something as a Saints fan that I will never forgive McCarthy for doing. All we needed was 1 of the final 3 games and he had too big of an ego to put the better QB in. So, I’m hard as hell NO on McCarthy!!!!

I don't want really McCarthy as the HC... but that was 100% on Haslett.

 

[Cajun Chat]

I saw yesterday a piece in the Athletic ranking the head-coach vacancies. In the first tier were New England, Jacksonville and Chicago. In the second tier were New Orleans, Las Vegas and the Jets. There was a big gap between the two tiers. Our salary-cap status and quarterback questions were the big factors in our ranking.

There have been a few posted that rank us as the bottom or 2nd from the bottom opportunities. Ownership actually ranks as a positive but I haven't seen any that question front office. Same stuff as you've seen salary cap, aging roster and QB as negatives.

 

[Saint Greg]

I haven't seen any that question front office. Same stuff as you've seen salary cap, aging roster and QB as negatives.

Those are all front office issues.

 

[whiteshadowen]

Because people overestimate certain aspects of a job (salary cap and current roster) and underestimate other aspects like job security, how tough the division is, and a team's general culture.

The Saints have a strong FO culture regardless of Loomis' recent fumbles that coaches can trust won't screw them over. We also play in the weakest division in the NFC (maybe football?). If a head coach comes in knowing he's got at least fours years (something we are likely to offer), he can take his lumps the first season with the cap and roster and be set up in year two to do big things.

Anyone going to the Jets/Raiders/Jags could be getting fired two years from now, and prospects know it. Even the Bears is a questionable job. That division is brutal and Caleb Williams is a complete weirdo.

NE is head and shoulders above all the other open jobs.

Good points all. Good post.

 

[ilvdsnts]

Guys we gotta pray we don’t get McCarthy! I’m sure you all remember when he was our OC under Haslet. When he was our OC we only needed to win 1 game of the final 3 games and we would have been in the playoffs. Brooks was playing terrible, throwing the ball backwards and crap. Our backup was Jake Dellhome and McCarthy wouldn’t put him in for nothing! We go 0-3 in that span and Brooks was so bad that the dome was booing him regularly. Brooks was banged up but it didn’t matter cause McCarthy wasn’t going to put Jake in. We don’t make the playoffs and Jake takes Carolina his first year after leaving us. That’s just something as a Saints fan that I will never forgive McCarthy for doing. All we needed was 1 of the final 3 games and he had too big of an ego to put the better QB in. So, I’m hard as hell NO on McCarthy!!!!

That was totally on Haslett, not sure how u can blame that on McCarthy.

 

[English]

If you give McCarthy the majority of the decisions surrounding the team like he would have.I think he could do something with this organization. You know that he is very limited by the meddling that goes on in little D. He knows how it looks to do it right with his experience.
He knows how to make a seasoned meal out of beans and rice.
Jerrahs petty enough to open the checkbook if he thought someone else wants HIS coach.
This ain’t happening.