Underhill: Saints are interviewing probably 12 coaches (Final: officially 6 interviews)

[SonOfNOLA]

I did not say that Nagy was a good head coach. I said that given their records, Gruden is not a much better coach than Nagy. So, if Nagy isn't a good HC, and he isn't, then neither is Gruden. Period. Gruden had one great year in 2002 and has been mediocre to bad since then.

So if records aren't everything, does this mean we should have "looked beyond the record" for DA? Of course not. Because, in the end records are everything for a head coach.

Gruden didn’t win his playoff appearances after ‘02 but I think he was more above average than mediocre-bad after the SB. He had 2 NFCS titles in Tampa post-SB. 4 winning seasons out of 7 overall there. He had 5 losses of 3 points or less in the 7-9 season the year after the SB. He produced winning seasons with QBs that were 2nd or 3rd QBs anywhere else or out of the league level. But he maxed out Griese, Simms, Gradkowski, and older Brad Johnson enough to win a decent amount of games. I think his wins reflected the furthest he could go with the QB talent that his two Tampa GMs gave him.

For his career, he has 5 division titles, AFCCG app, SB title, and 5 losing seasons out of 14 full seasons. He probably was on his way to a 10+ win season in the resign year in 2021 based on their schedule and the interim producing 10-7 with his team.

I think his post-Oakland/Tampa SB win career is equivalent to most current playoff coaches. Most playoff coaches in the league right now don’t have more than 1 great season, if any, if a conference championship or SB win defines a great season. They’re just winning their division and maybe get to the divisional round. But a lot of times just making a wildcard appearance and follow up with a winning record but missing playoffs. They’re repeating those results every 3 years, wildcard, missed playoffs, divisional. Or wildcard, divisional, missed playoffs. Maybe they’re lucky enough for the divisional app to become a conference round appearance. But then missed playoffs 2 years in a row after that like the Bengals coach.

 

[Big_L]

Brady with Saleh as DC (SP) would be amazing.

 

[Hedon James]

That's fair. I've got a little more faith in him, but mostly because I understood his patience w/ Allen. There were times I didn't agree w/ it, but half the battle is understanding. I think somethign that doesn't get mentioned enough about him is his inherent competitiveness. I don't think people realize that tanking or tearing it all down, goes against who he is.

However, I can tell that the way he approached the 2024 season, was different than he'd approached seasons in the past. The "one player away" mantra that we'd been operating in that typically saw us make a splash FA signing or two + a trade up for a very specific talent didn't happen. In 2022 it was Olave/Penning, in 2023 it was Carr.

2024 saw a subtle admission that whatever window they thought they had or potentially could have....isn't there. They were willing to trade back (Rams), they traded Marshon mid season (Loomis is typically a buyer at trade deadline, think Eli Apple) and their FA classes was subtle, unless you want to say Chase Young was some type of headline grab. They payed him market value on a 1 year prove it deal that had a ton of incentives in it. Mickey don't trade back, Mickey don't sell at trade deadline, Mickey don't sign 2nd and 3rd tier FA...Bo know this.

Thats Loomis proving he can move differently and admit mistakes...even when people are not viewing those actions as such.

Those are all fair observations and comments also. I don't know you're wrong...in fact, I truly hope you're right. i look at those highlights and question whether those actions were purposeful decisions by Loomis, or were the default actions he handcuffed himself with. I'm not sure he had a CHOICE? But I see what you pointed out and acknowledge it happened. My only other comment/question is "was that a 1-year anomaly? or was it the next step to getting the cap 'right' again?"

Maybe you're just ahead of me on the curve, but I'm not there yet. I like your take, though, and I sincerely hope you are correct. I WANT to believe what you believe, but can't (yet?). My confidence in Loomis has been shaken BADLY....by Loomis myself....and I need to see more before my faith & confidence in him is restored.

 

[MikeyF]

Saints Complete HC Interview With Giants OC Mike Kafka

According to Nick Underhill, the Saints have completed an interview with Giants OC Mike Kafka for their HC vacancy. The following is an update on the Saints

www.yardbarker.com

 

[soggymoss84]

 

[soggymoss84]

Glenn is interviewing with us and Raiders tomorrow

 

[treeduck]

Kafka is the name I'm baffled about. I just don't see him as a serious candidate whatsoever. We'd be better off with Franz Kafka.

 

[nakadish]

Kafka is the name I'm baffled about. I just don't see him as a serious candidate whatsoever. We'd be better off with Franz Kafka.

I think it's very serious, depending on what they think of Rattler. He was Mahomes QB coach. If the Saints think he can turn Rattler into Mahomes Jr., I think he's the next HC.

 

[DSnfla]

I know exactly what you said, maybe you should think more before you post the idiocy that Reid is "treading water"......at this point you would be better off admitting you were wrong but I know you won't.....

Also, he's more than just a "very good coach", he is likely one of the greatest of all time....Very good regular seasons equal playoffs, if that is treading water I sure hope the Saints get back to treading water soon....

Apparently even though I post the definition of "treading water" and it applies exactly to what Reid and the Chiefs were at before Mahomes became the starter. You don't seem to get it. No matter how well you do in the reg season it's all about the playoffs. And only winning ONE playoff game in 5 yrs is not moving forward.

I do think Reid is a very good, even great HC. He had the foresight to see what Mahomes could be. But he did not win a SB until Mahomes became a starter.

 

[DSnfla]

I know what you said. I wasn't responding to you or your comments. Read what I said, not what you think I said so you could post this snarky response.

I find it ironic that semantics matter when it comes to content of your posts, but you disregard those semantics when it comes to the posts of others. Since you opened that door, I think it was pretty clear I was piggy-backing onto the other poster's observation about Reid's career in Philly. A commentary about the Philly fanbase, where I live. Nothing I said negates nor refutes any of your comments regarding Reid's KC tenure. In fact, even if you perceived that in some way, I believe that someone who was truly engaged in a meaningful discourse might have pointed out that Reid's tenure in Philly with Donovan McNabb, Mike Vick, Kevin Kolb, and any QBs before McNabb (don't remember, too lazy to look it up) would actually support your "treading water" argument, as you presented it. But you missed that opportunity because you were focused on what you think I said, so you could argue your point further? You're quick to say "maybe people should read WHAT i say not what people say what they think I said."

Take your own condescending advice. You seem to seek conflict and arguments with anyone who doesn't share your opinion. And interject yourself into faux conflicts that you invited yourself to; then play the misunderstood victim, while you clarify your semantics. You're getting what you give. You're not even interesting anymore...seek your drama someplace else. I have no interest in feeding your need...

Seek a higher level...

But were you not responding to sfidc3's comment to my "treading water" piece of work?. Basically reiterating what he was saying So maybe you kind of were responding to my post were you not? To me it looked like you were taking his point of view of debating what " treading water " means. If that was not the case I apologise

 

[DSnfla]

That's fair. I've got a little more faith in him, but mostly because I understood his patience w/ Allen. There were times I didn't agree w/ it, but half the battle is understanding. I think somethign that doesn't get mentioned enough about him is his inherent competitiveness. I don't think people realize that tanking or tearing it all down, goes against who he is.

However, I can tell that the way he approached the 2024 season, was different than he'd approached seasons in the past. The "one player away" mantra that we'd been operating in that typically saw us make a splash FA signing or two + a trade up for a very specific talent didn't happen. In 2022 it was Olave/Penning, in 2023 it was Carr.

2024 saw a subtle admission that whatever window they thought they had or potentially could have....isn't there. They were willing to trade back (Rams), they traded Marshon mid season (Loomis is typically a buyer at trade deadline, think Eli Apple) and their FA classes was subtle, unless you want to say Chase Young was some type of headline grab. They payed him market value on a 1 year prove it deal that had a ton of incentives in it. Mickey don't trade back, Mickey don't sell at trade deadline, Mickey don't sign 2nd and 3rd tier FA...Bo know this.

Thats Loomis proving he can move differently and admit mistakes...even when people are not viewing those actions as such.

I totally agree

 

[Saint KayBee]

Kafka is the name I'm baffled about. I just don't see him as a serious candidate whatsoever. We'd be better off with Franz Kafka.

Mike Kafka has been regarded as a brilliant football mind since his playing days at Northwestern. He’s the exact kind of guy who gets a couple cups of coffee in the NFL then joins some coaching staffs and flies up the ranks. He helped to get early-career Patrick Mahomes “best ever” consideration as a 24-year-old.

Unfortunately, this fan base has been extremely loud and angry about the fact that he even got an interview, because “tHe gIaNtS wERe TerRIbLe” not realizing both points above, and also that if LSU product Malik Nabers hadn’t gone to NYG, none of those people could name a single offensive skill position player on that talent-poor roster. Sometimes the team itself is frustrating, but right now it’s the fans being terrible.

 

[ChopperSaint]

I heard this from someone . Not sure if true . Maybe the readers here might know if it is true

Someone told me Loomis is forcing the new head coach to keep a certain number of current assistant coaches on the team as a condition of getting the job .


Please tell me this is not the case .

I’m already very anti Loomis to begin with and if this is true it would be the final straw

 

[Saint Greg]

There was a rumor that Aaron Glenn would be willing to keep a number of existing coaches. It's believed Loomis may want to keep the offensive coaching staff with a defensive head coach. But as far as I know nothing definite. I saw Sean Salisbury on Matt Mascona said he'd rule this job out if he was forced to keep coaches.