OT: New Owner! New Name? New Season? New Everything!!! — Oh, and New Thread. All things Washington NFL FootBall (beat it, Dan-Bag!!)

[CapitalsCupReality]

They’re all a gamble.

And I disagree you learn most of what you need to from a conversation. BS.

 

[Ajax1995]

I’m saying….why not try him out the rest of the season? why not try before you buy, before watching him go off and have success elsewhere….(as is the more recent history of this franchise)? What if they’re going pass happy to really test out SH?

I would be fine with a complete housecleaning if EB isn’t the guy for Harris and Co. maybe they already know that….maybe not.

Because he has done absolutely nothing to earn it, IMO, besides not being Rivera and Del Rio. Sure the offense has been better than the defense but so f***ing what. That is an incredibly low bar.

And I would find it very hard to believe that on game days they aren’t actually trying to win games but instead focusing on developing Howell. Trading away assets is one thing but consciously not trying to win on Sundays I don’t believe, and certainly not this early in the season.

Let the season play out, let Harris show he is a stand up guy letting the staff he inherited finish the season and show what they can do, assess after the season with whatever standards and expectations you have, and go from there. At this point, I’d do a top to bottom housecleaning and move forward 100% fresh. And do it in the proper order, hire a GM, have them hire a coach, and have those two hire the coordinators and the rest of the staff.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Because he has done absolutely nothing to earn it, IMO, besides not being Rivera and Del Rio. Sure the offense has been better than the defense but so f***ing what. That is an incredibly low bar.

And I would find it very hard to believe that on game days they aren’t actually trying to win games but instead focusing on developing Howell. Trading away assets is one thing but consciously not trying to win on Sundays I don’t believe, and certainly not this early in the season.

Let the season play out, let Harris show he is a stand up guy letting the staff he inherited finish the season and show what they can do, assess after the season with whatever standards and expectations you have, and go from there. At this point, I’d do a top to bottom housecleaning and move forward 100% fresh. And do it in the proper order, hire a GM, have them hire a coach, and have those two hire the coordinators and the rest of the staff.

Well that’s the point….you don’t need to earn shit to be named interim when the other donk is fired. What you can earn in an interim role is the new job, instead of carelessly being swept up in a massive housecleaning and letting the wrong coach go.

I guess I don’t see the logic in potentially letting a good coach go without even trying him out when you can for free and with no risk.

Whats this phony “stand up guy” BS? This is a business and the business is winning and RR isn’t doing it. Harris is probably chomping at the bit to clean these guys out….

of course they’re “trying to win“ on game day….doesn‘t mean they aren’t trying to see what Sam has in him by going pass happy.

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

You just hate to see bad things happen to good people!

 

[Jags]

They’re all a gamble.

And I disagree you learn most of what you need to from a conversation. BS.

What don't you get that requires the trial by fire? He completely runs the offense, so you've seen him handle position coaches and players, and how they respond to him. You've seen him do pressers, manage personnel, and his style of diplomacy and leadership.

The only things you haven't seen him do are the things he won't be able to do as an interim coach, like assemble a staff. But you can ask him if you want. Costs you nothing.

WE don't know shit about him. The Commanders do, and there might be reasons they've avoided this option. There are some possible red flags that you can kinda see from out here in the cheap seats, and those things might be true and writ large in person. And maybe it's the opposite; that they've already decided he's their guy and want to give him a clean shot while also being kind to a HC they clearly respect.

I agree that we really have nothing to lose, that being proactive *might* send the right message to players *if* they've had it with Ron and really like EB (could be the opposite though), and that it could reveal some stuff about EB *if* they haven't learned enough about him already. But that's a lot of ifs and maybes.

The one thing I definitely agree with is that a mid-season firing of JDR makes all the sense in the world. THAT I would do immediately, no question. Personally never would have hired him in the first place and definitely would have shitcanned him after all the off-the-field horseshit. I'd stand pat at head coach though. If I were Harris I'd be neck-deep in private GM research so I could pull the trigger on that ASAP, then let the new GM handle the rest.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

What don't you get that requires the trial by fire? He completely runs the offense, so you've seen him handle position coaches and players, and how they respond to him. You've seen him do pressers, manage personnel, and his style of diplomacy and leadership.

The only things you haven't seen him do are the things he won't be able to do as an interim coach, like assemble a staff. But you can ask him if you want. Costs you nothing.

WE don't know shit about him. The Commanders do, and there might be reasons they've avoided this option. There are some possible red flags that you can kinda see from out here in the cheap seats, and those things might be true and writ large in person. And maybe it's the opposite; that they've already decided he's their guy and want to give him a clean shot while also being kind to a HC they clearly respect.

I agree that we really have nothing to lose, that being proactive *might* send the right message to players *if* they've had it with Ron and really like EB (could be the opposite though), and that it could reveal some stuff about EB *if* they haven't learned enough about him already. But that's a lot of ifs and maybes.

The one thing I definitely agree with is that a mid-season firing of JDR makes all the sense in the world. THAT I would do immediately, no question. Personally never would have hired him in the first place and definitely would have shitcanned him after all the off-the-field horseshit. I'd stand pat at head coach though. If I were Harris I'd be neck-deep in private GM research so I could pull the trigger on that ASAP, then let the new GM handle the rest.

The HC job is about a lot more than running one group of players. I want to see him under fire as a HC, in charge of all aspects of game planning and personnel, all groups/teams. I want to see how the players on BOTH sides of the ball respond to his leadership as the HC. Do they battle harder than we're seeing now? Can we test if he's a motivator for the entire team, or is it just the O? I want to see how he handles himself in the press as THE Man.

If waiting until after the season happens and they go to open interviews, I expect EB to be gone, but yes, they could already have told him it's his, and they're just waiting.....but I don't believe that for a second.

Potential Boogeyman redflags are just that....maybe something, probably nothing.

They could be happy with letting Ron tank them, while seeing what EB and others can do to make the players respond otherwise. JDR isn't doing that, but what if RR refuses to allow JDR to be fired in season? Show RR the door or let him run it into the ground? Maybe RR has already made that known to JH, that he's not making any coaching changes internally?

I absolutely hope they are looking at GM candidates, but I'd wager those people are all locked down during the season.

 

[Jacoby4HOF66]

I’m saying….why not try him out the rest of the season? why not try before you buy, before watching him go off and have success elsewhere….(as is the more recent history of this franchise)? What if they’re going pass happy to really test out SH?

I would be fine with a complete housecleaning if EB isn’t the guy for Harris and Co. maybe they already know that….maybe not.

John Keim brought up a good point on Sheehan’s pod yesterday. If you fire RR and JDR and put EB in as HC how does that effect Howell’s development? It’s a good point. EB has his hands full learning how to be a true OC. Giving him responsibility over the entire team takes EB away from the offense and Howell.

Also, Keim says he fully expects Harris to hire a GM and let that person hire a HC. Harris has done that after purchasing the Devils and 6ers.

 

[Jacoby4HOF66]

Well that’s the point….you don’t need to earn shit to be named interim when the other donk is fired. What you can earn in an interim role is the new job, instead of carelessly being swept up in a massive housecleaning and letting the wrong coach go.

I guess I don’t see the logic in potentially letting a good coach go without even trying him out when you can for free and with no risk.

Whats this phony “stand up guy” BS? This is a business and the business is winning and RR isn’t doing it. Harris is probably chomping at the bit to clean these guys out….

of course they’re “trying to win“ on game day….doesn‘t mean they aren’t trying to see what Sam has in him by going pass happy.

When was the last time an interim NFL HC had success after being named HC never mind being made the permanent HC moving forward? I can’t think of one. Keim mentioned that as well yesterday. If you want EB has HC you don’t want him being named interim now. He will have a better shot at HC staying at OC for the entire season.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

When was the last time an interim NFL HC had success after being named HC never mind being made the permanent HC moving forward? I can’t think of one. Keim mentioned that as well yesterday. If you want EB has HC you don’t want him being named interim now. He will have a better shot at HC staying at OC for the entire season.

2016, Doug Marrone….Jacksonville. Lasted 3 or 4 more seasons I think? I think it doesn’t happen often because the candidates on the other teams are who the owners typically covet….

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

John Keim brought up a good point on Sheehan’s pod yesterday. If you fire RR and JDR and put EB in as HC how does that effect Howell’s development? It’s a good point. EB has his hands full learning how to be a true OC. Giving him responsibility over the entire team takes EB away from the offense and Howell.

Also, Keim says he fully expects Harris to hire a GM and let that person hire a HC. Harris has done that after purchasing the Devils and 6ers.

EB doesn’t need to learn his role as OC at this point. He can still devote the lion’s share of his time to offense as do the other HC’s that playcall. I sure hope there are some great GM candidates if we’re sitting on our hands waiting on someone to appear. I wonder if they hand someone president and or maybe VP/GM.

 

[HTFN]

You just hate to see bad things happen to good people!

They can probably work it out with a few massages

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

I would say turning a 5th round rookie QB into a probowler is pretty good. And yes he is a NFC pro bowler this season.

 

[Jacoby4HOF66]

EB doesn’t need to learn his role as OC at this point. He can still devote the lion’s share of his time to offense as do the other HC’s that playcall. I sure hope there are some great GM candidates if we’re sitting on our hands waiting on someone to appear. I wonder if they hand someone president and or maybe VP/GM.

Really? As I said before it wasn’t that long ago EB was out coached by a game show host. Just like a first time starter like Howell EB needs a full season as OC to prove himself.

Your stance on this is surprising but whatever. I’m counting on Harris to run this team like an NFL team should be run. And firing RR and putting an unproven person at HC mid season would be a Snyder move.

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

Really? As I said before it wasn’t that long ago EB was out coached by a game show host. Just like a first time starter like Howell EB needs a full season as OC to prove himself.

Your stance on this is surprising but whatever. I’m counting on Harris to run this team like an NFL team should be run. And firing RR and putting an unproven person at HC mid season would be a Snyder move.

Howell is the guy. He’s had one really bad game (vs Buffalo) and he was meh against the Giants but he’s been everything they could have hoped for and more. He can make all the throws. He’s tough as nails. He’s not making the same mistakes over and over again. He’s improving his situational awareness both in the pocket and as it relates to down and distance. There’s no fear in him and he doesn’t get rattled after a bad play or after getting hit.

If he were a 1st round pick and the Commies defense wasn’t so bad and they were 6-4 or 7-3 I think he’d be in the discussion as a top 10 MVP candidate.

There are holes all over the defense and they need to improve the offensive line but they are going into 2024 with their QB1 and without Snyder so everything else is gravy.

 

[Ridley Simon]

Really? As I said before it wasn’t that long ago EB was out coached by a game show host. Just like a first time starter like Howell EB needs a full season as OC to prove himself.

Your stance on this is surprising but whatever. I’m counting on Harris to run this team like an NFL team should be run. And firing RR and putting an unproven person at HC mid season would be a Snyder move.

I DO see CCR’s logic here. I don’t really see what you lose by having EB take over.

I guess if I squint “just right”, I can read the argument that moving EB into the Captains chair could possibly impinge Howell’s development. I get that, sorta.

However, I’d like to see EB get a chance. He could do well. Either in allowing himself to become the HC here, or elsewhere.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Really? As I said before it wasn’t that long ago EB was out coached by a game show host. Just like a first time starter like Howell EB needs a full season as OC to prove himself.

Your stance on this is surprising but whatever. I’m counting on Harris to run this team like an NFL team should be run. And firing RR and putting an unproven person at HC mid season would be a Snyder move.

Why do you dislike EB so much? Black guy? . Always seems like some simmering contempt in your posts about him. Maybe it’s just your delivery.

An unproven guy can lose just as easily as RR can. The Snyder move is running the ship into the ground and running off our better coaches….

If Harris sits on his hands, I hope it’s because he already has his eyes on another good HC and GM….and it better not be your guy, old man Belichick.

 

[Jacoby4HOF66]

Why do you dislike EB so much? Black guy? . Always seems like some simmering contempt in your posts about him. Maybe it’s just your delivery.

An unproven guy can lose just as easily as RR can. The Snyder move is running the ship into the ground and running off our better coaches….

If Harris sits on his hands, I hope it’s because he already has his eyes on another good HC and GM….and it better not be your guy, old man Belichick.

Yup. You got me. I don’t like him because he’s black.

You can put all the wink emojis you want but you can f*** right off.

 

[Jags]

I’d like to see EB get a chance. He could do well.

He absolutely could, but this isn't a championship year. So if EB is the guy and the team responds, we win 2 or 3 games we wouldn't otherwise and end up picking 17th instead of 7th in every round of a good draft.

Or it goes the other way and craters, EB loses the room, Howell's OC guidance falters and his season and the offense as a whole either plateau or regress.

But the most likely scenario is that it ends up making no real difference. EB, left with the scattered remnants of the firings, can't really do much to elevate the team, has a ho-hum HC debut that clouds his value versus other candidates, and all it adds up to is midseason drama that shifted focus from a plucky, competitive, evolving team to the behind-the-scenes dysfunction that this organization and fanbase knows all too well.

Unless something really egregious happens, firing RR midseason is a bad idea.

The Snyder move is running the ship into the ground and running off our better coaches….

The Snyder move is "Let's focus on our worst elements immediately, putting them front and center when we should be focused on playing football."

If you believe in EB then you should want him to become a head coach the right way. Chosen by a GM with real consideration, input into the formation of his staff and the draft, then a full offseason and camp to prepare, implement systems, and make a debut that's representative of everything he has to offer as a coach.

It's true that we have nothing to lose right now. But we also have so little to gain. This season wouldn't amount to much more if we resurrected and installed Lombardi himself. All it would do is start unnecessary midseason drama, put undue pressure on a coach that's already adjusting to a job he's never really had before, and put a stark ending to the tenure of a guy that they clearly like and respect regardless of his failings. And for what? So we can win a couple more this year, maybe? What trophy does that get us?

The urge to tinker when you're frustrated or angry or convinced that the path you're on is wrong somehow, even though you're focused on what's right at the tip of your nose instead of what's down the road a bit... That urge is a powerful thing.

There's an old quote from The West Wing...

"A new pilot will fly into cloud cover. There’ll be no visibility. And they’ll check their gauges, they’ll look at the artificial horizon, it’ll show them level, but they won’t trust it. So, they’ll make an adjustment and then another and another… He said the number of new pilots who fly out of clouds completely upside-down would knock you out."​

​

We know we're going to clean house after the season. We know the offseason is when the most and best coaching and GM candidates are available. And we know that we're not competing for anything this season regardless of what we do. Our deadline deals made our outlook and priorities pretty obvious.

We have flown into cloud cover. We're level. We just need to be patient and stay the course.

 

[Ajax1995]

Why do you dislike EB so much? Black guy? . Always seems like some simmering contempt in your posts about him. Maybe it’s just your delivery.

An unproven guy can lose just as easily as RR can. The Snyder move is running the ship into the ground and running off our better coaches….

If Harris sits on his hands, I hope it’s because he already has his eyes on another good HC and GM….and it better not be your guy, old man Belichick.

Apparently I’m also a racist since I don’t think Bieniemy should or in any way whatsoever deserves to be elevated to head coach.

His qualification seems to be ‘not Rivera’ and I’m sorry but I have a higher bar than that. If the offense was performing like some well oiled machine I might feel differently but they aren’t.

Firing Rivera and giving Bieniemy the job screams knee jerk reaction to me and damages the overall credibility of Harris and the organization as a whole that is just starting to try to dig out of the gigantic hole Snyder put them in. Doing what you are suggesting says ‘new ownership same as the old ownership’ to me and big picture it is really important for the future of the organization to not give that impression.

 

[Ajax1995]

EB doesn’t need to learn his role as OC at this point.

Bullshit. The play calling aspect of the job is a very important one and his play calling is borderline atrocious. Howell’s development is absolutely encouraging but I’m definitely not seeing overall improvements across the offense that says, wow Bieniemy is doing a great job coordinating the offense.

At this point I’ll give him credit for being a good QB coach and his role as a non-play calling coordinator with the Chiefs. Hopefully the offense improves overall over the next 7 games and he positions himself as an actual deserving candidate for the head coaching position.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Apparently I’m also a racist since I don’t think Bieniemy should or in any way whatsoever deserves to be elevated to head coach.

His qualification seems to be ‘not Rivera’ and I’m sorry but I have a higher bar than that. If the offense was performing like some well oiled machine I might feel differently but they aren’t.

Firing Rivera and giving Bieniemy the job screams knee jerk reaction to me and damages the overall credibility of Harris and the organization as a whole that is just starting to try to dig out of the gigantic hole Snyder put them in. Doing what you are suggesting says ‘new ownership same as the old ownership’ to me and big picture it is really important for the future of the organization to not give that impression.

Haha…well, you’re a special person in your own right dude,….clearly, as seen in the tone of pretty much all your stuff. But that‘s cool, you’re entertaining at times, and easy enough to deal with as needed. Do you not understand humor though? A f’ing wink?

LOL…firing RR is knee jerk….half of the sports reporting world has been suggesting it for weeks If not longer….this is not some crazy idea out of nowhere.

I prefer aggressive, intelligently focused moves by Management. I’m not afraid of making waves if it’s in the right direction. Inaction is just wasting time and money, so unless they’ve already got their sights on some specific guys outside the organization and MUST wait, I see ZERO value in keeping RR and JDR the rest of the season.

 

[kicksavedave]

I don't understand why this "fire RR, promote EB" discussion has such legs. It has nothing to do with what RR deserves or doesn't, and everything to do with how Josh Harris is planning to run his franchise. I see no evidence whatsoever that he intends to make kneejerk reactions, or replace a qualified GM in the decision making process and select a head coach before a thorough process plays out.

Dan Snyder is gone people. We aren't managed by a angsty teenager anymore. Adults are in charge now, and the season will play out exactly as the staff is, and then thoughtful decisions will be made. If/when RR is fired at that time, as @WetHog and others have proposed, I hope JH hires a great new GM then lets him bring on the coach. If that means the slight risk of losing out on EB in the process, then so be it. EB is not by any means the only person capable of coaching this team into the future and Sam Howell will be fine with a new OC who understands his strengths. Maybe even one who knows there is a thing called a running game.

Imagine Sam Howell with a real play action repertoire?

RR sucks and should be fired. In January. That's how stable owners operate. I get it, that's unfamiliar to us all.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Bullshit. The play calling aspect of the job is a very important one and his play calling is borderline atrocious. Howell’s development is absolutely encouraging but I’m definitely not seeing overall improvements across the offense that says, wow Bieniemy is doing a great job coordinating the offense.

At this point I’ll give him credit for being a good QB coach and his role as a non-play calling coordinator with the Chiefs. Hopefully the offense improves overall over the next 7 games and he positions himself as an actual deserving candidate for the head coaching position.

Yeah, bullshit back at ya. I disagree. He knows the OC job.

I don't understand why this "fire RR, promote EB" discussion has such legs. It has nothing to do with what RR deserves or doesn't, and everything to do with how Josh Harris is planning to run his franchise. I see no evidence whatsoever that he intends to make kneejerk reactions, or replace a qualified GM in the decision making process and select a head coach before a thorough process plays out.

Dan Snyder is gone people. We aren't managed by a angsty teenager anymore. Adults are in charge now, and the season will play out exactly as the staff is, and then thoughtful decisions will be made. If/when RR is fired at that time, as @WetHog and others have proposed, I hope JH hires a great new GM then lets him bring on the coach. If that means the slight risk of losing out on EB in the process, then so be it. EB is not by any means the only person capable of coaching this team into the future and Sam Howell will be fine with a new OC who understands his strengths. Maybe even one who knows there is a thing called a running game.

Imagine Sam Howell with a real play action repertoire?

RR sucks and should be fired. In January. That's how stable owners operate. I get it, that's unfamiliar to us all.

Knee jerk is so inaccurate. RR and staff would have been gone earlier if the ownership change hadn’t dragged on. They got stuck with timing for this season.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

He absolutely could, but this isn't a championship year. So if EB is the guy and the team responds, we win 2 or 3 games we wouldn't otherwise and end up picking 17th instead of 7th in every round of a good draft.

Or it goes the other way and craters, EB loses the room, Howell's OC guidance falters and his season and the offense as a whole either plateau or regress.

But the most likely scenario is that it ends up making no real difference. EB, left with the scattered remnants of the firings, can't really do much to elevate the team, has a ho-hum HC debut that clouds his value versus other candidates, and all it adds up to is midseason drama that shifted focus from a plucky, competitive, evolving team to the behind-the-scenes dysfunction that this organization and fanbase knows all too well.

Unless something really egregious happens, firing RR midseason is a bad idea.



The Snyder move is "Let's focus on our worst elements immediately, putting them front and center when we should be focused on playing football."

If you believe in EB then you should want him to become a head coach the right way. Chosen by a GM with real consideration, input into the formation of his staff and the draft, then a full offseason and camp to prepare, implement systems, and make a debut that's representative of everything he has to offer as a coach.

It's true that we have nothing to lose right now. But we also have so little to gain. This season wouldn't amount to much more if we resurrected and installed Lombardi himself. All it would do is start unnecessary midseason drama, put undue pressure on a coach that's already adjusting to a job he's never really had before, and put a stark ending to the tenure of a guy that they clearly like and respect regardless of his failings. And for what? So we can win a couple more this year, maybe? What trophy does that get us?

The urge to tinker when you're frustrated or angry or convinced that the path you're on is wrong somehow, even though you're focused on what's right at the tip of your nose instead of what's down the road a bit... That urge is a powerful thing.

There's an old quote from The West Wing...

"A new pilot will fly into cloud cover. There’ll be no visibility. And they’ll check their gauges, they’ll look at the artificial horizon, it’ll show them level, but they won’t trust it. So, they’ll make an adjustment and then another and another… He said the number of new pilots who fly out of clouds completely upside-down would knock you out."​

​

We know we're going to clean house after the season. We know the offseason is when the most and best coaching and GM candidates are available. And we know that we're not competing for anything this season regardless of what we do. Our deadline deals made our outlook and priorities pretty obvious.

We have flown into cloud cover. We're level. We just need to be patient and stay the course.

Sorry, my course is well thought out, not reactionary and just makes sense to me. I have no urge to tinker, I have an urge to move forward. Right now, with RR and JDR leading, just wasting time. EB won’t be the HC here if he doesn’t get an interim shot…that’s my prediction.

 

[kicksavedave]

I don't want the owner picking the HC, period. Thats how we got Steve Spurrier. Thats how we lost Marty. Thats how we ended up with Jim Zorn after no one else would even interview.

Needs to be said again, what qualified GM would sign on here with the owner picking the coach for him? That's how we got Vinny and Bruce.