Jeremy Maclin Deal Could Be Done within 72 Hours

Adam Schefter is reporting via Twitter that after speaking with some people in the Eagles organization, he believes the deal could be done within 72 hours.

“Good news Philly: After talking more with Eagles, deal for WR Jeremy Maclin is closer than (I) thought. I predict one within 72 hours – mayb…”

Good news? Am I the only one who does not see this as “good news?”

It’s certainly not good news that this will take perhaps another three days, leaving him to come back Wednesday and only get about three days of training camp under his belt heading into his rookie season.

Training camp is unbelievably important, and three days is better than nothing, but he should be in there right now. He’s already missed too much time.

This has also been the report since the beginning of camp. Even before camp there was a report (some crazy people telling us that he already signed) that he had signed a six-year, $23 million deal. Obviously, that was not the case and those people had some faulty sources (Thank you, very much “The Columns,” a Mizzou blog).

Everyone keeps saying he’ll sign within the next 24 hours, he’ll sign in the next 72 hours, and everything in between. But, obviously, that has yet to happen.

If I had to guess, I would guess that it’s the length and probably the incentives that are holding this deal up. The No. 20 and the No. 17 picks are signed, so it shouldn’t be real difficult to figure out where Maclin’s numbers should be. Also, don’t forget that he’s the last Eagles rookie, so they have limited money for him anyway.

Given those facts, it’s easy to figure that it’s things like the length and incentives. The Eagles probably want him to sign a five or six-year deal, but Maclin probably only wants a three or four-year deal because he’s seen how the Eagles operate and figures that he’ll outperform his contract very soon (which is a good thing for Philly).

Something tells me that we still have a few days of this back and forth reporting to deal with, and that when it finally does get settled we’ll learn that it was over a year difference, or a couple thousand difference in incentives.

 

Also Check Out 2 Minutes to Midnight Green!

The Good Notes from Philadelphia Eagles Training Camp Morning Practice

I’ve said it before, but let me say it again: You will remember the name LeSean McCoy.

The Harrisburg, PA native was electric in individual drills, as well as team drills. He showed that he has very soft hands and very good vision when running between the tackles, especially for a rookie.

On several occasions McCoy would start heading inside, and just that quickly would change direction and bounce to the outside, leaving even the starting defense left doing the Lord’s Prayer.

The kid idolized Barry Sanders growing up, which isn’t surprising because he moves just like him. At one point, he even pulled a signature Barry Sanders move. Making a cut his feet came out from underneath him, but he just put a hand down, gathered his feet, and kept moving.

Another guy looking like he belongs with this team today is Brandon Gibson. He’s a big guy who could make a really good possession receiver in this league. He turned some heads in this morning’s practice with his surprising soft hands and deceptive speed.

Some heads that were turning include the great Ray Didinger and Merril Reese, who were checking him out next to me from the sidelines.

He played in the west coast offense at Washington State, but was forced to switch to the spread during his senior year and played on a poor team (2-10). As Reese commented on Gibson, “He probably was pressing a bit in Mobile (Alabama, site of the Senior Bowl), and it caused a bad week and a bad game, making his stock drop.”

Gibson could be a diamond in the rough of this draft class.

Some other young guys who looked good were Danny Amendola, Eldra Buckley, Kyle Eckel, Cornelius Ingram, and Dimitri Patterson, a rookie free agent.

Patterson, a corner, played very physically with the receivers and was not afraid to bump and shove them a bit. In a one-on-one against Hank Baskett, he would have been called for pass interference, but it was great to see him getting physical with him anyway.

Later on a slant, run and caught by Brandon Gibson, Patterson finished the play by giving him a nice shoulder check and getting Gibson’s jersey a little dirty.

 

For the bad side of this morning’s practice, check out 2 Minutes to Midnight Green!

Vikings’ Udeze Retires: A Sad and Inspiring Story Gets Lost in the Shuffle

Kenechi Udeze, a former first-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings in 2004, has decided to retire.

Players retire from the NFL every year, and a lot of the time we don’t even notice except for maybe a passing story.

However, this retirement is as heartbreaking as you’ll ever find.

Udeze was forced to sit out the 2008 season after being diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. However, Udeze decided to return to the field after a year of rehab, bone marrow transplants, and other treatments.

“I’d be lying if I said it was easy,” Udeze said back in late May at Minnesota’s OTA’s. “There was never an easy point. The first time I went back to USC and started working out with the fellas, I fell.”

“I took two steps and I fell. I took small steps at first and, to where I am now, I can’t complain.”

At the time, Udeze was fresh off a bone marrow transplant and a biopsy. He showed incredible strength and willpower to simply be standing, let alone out on a football field.

“That’s where they go in and take a little piece of your bone marrow and it hurts the day after,” Udeze said. “Like I said, I’ve seen children deal with what I’m dealing with. And if they can deal with it, then I shouldn’t make any complaints.”

Udeze never complained about his condition. He never just sat down, gave up, and asked, “Why me? Why me?” like some would do. And you know what; I don’t think I could blame anyone who would. Leukemia is a terrible disease to deal with, and could certainly be enough to break a man down.

But Udeze was a fighter. He was determined to beat his illness and make his way back onto the football field where he felt he belonged, and he did just that.

That is, until Wednesday, July 29th when he decided that he simply could no longer pursue an NFL career any longer.

He has not been available for comment, although I’m sure with the decision of Brett Favre conquering the news, and regarding the same team, not many people are beating down his door for comment.

However, while this is a sad day for Udeze in terms of his football career, he can always appreciate that he was able to play in the NFL, no matter how short his time, and that he has received a new lease on life.

With the recent death of great men like Jim Johnson and Harry Kalas, that new lease on life is certainly a far richer reward than any NFL contract.

 

Also Check Out 2 Minutes to Midnight Green.

A Development in the Jeremy Maclin Saga

There has been a development in the Jeremy Maclin saga. Granted, not much of one, but a development nonetheless.

Maclin’s agent, Jim Steiner, says that “some progress” has been made regarding Maclin’s contract.

An Eagles source, however, tells Philly.com, “I guess if you go from ridiculous to slightly less ridiculous you can call that real progress.”

Well…Wow.

The Eagles only have a certain amount of money left that they can even offer Maclin, so it must be the length and incentives that are holding the deal up. Also, it doesn’t make it any easier that guys like Michael Crabtree are throwing a fit about where they were drafted and holding the whole process up for everyone.

Either way, Maclin has to realize that this is doing nothing but hurting him for this year. If he misses significant time in camp he could see himself fall to fourth on the depth chart behind Kevin Curtis, DeSean Jackson, and Jason Avant.

We’ve seen what can happen to rookies who hold out, and none of it is any good.

JaMarcus Russel scratched about a year and a half off his career because he decided to hold out.

Hopefully Maclin will realize that his agent works for him, and not the other way around. Too often rookies don’t stand up to their agents, and I think that’s what we’re seeing here.

Ball’s in your court, Maclin, now make the right choice and sign the deal.

 

Also Check Out 2 Minutes to Midnight Green to see where Hollis Thomas landed, and news about Lorenzo Booker.

Jim Johnson Passes Away at Age 68: The Sadness and Football Effect

Some incredibly sad news today as Jim Johnson, former defensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles, passed away today at the age of 68. He had been battling cancer for a few months now.

There’s too much to be said of Jim Johnson. He was a stand-up man as well as an unbelievable football coach. His defense will leave an impact on the NFL that coaches for generations to come will look at and study.

Johnson is survived by his wife, two children, and four grandchildren.

His family, as well as the entire football world, grieve today as the passing of a great man is always a day of overwhelming sadness.

I’m sure tomorrow will be the most quiet and somber practice that the Eagles have ever had under coach Reid, and the entire Philadelphia fanbase is reeling after one of the worst tragedies to hit their football team since the passing of Jerome Brown.

As far as football is concerned, I hope that the Eagles, especially the defense, use this as a motivator for themselves throughout the entire year.

As I’ve written about before, I had the unfortunate experience of losing a friend right before a football season.

What happens when men play for each other, and for someone’s memory, is unfathomable to those who have not experienced it for themselves. When you’re tired and you don’t want to go for that next snap, the memory of that man pushes you forward. When you’re hurt and feel like there’s no way you can go on, that memory pushes you.

When you’re down by 10 points in the fourth quarter and you feel broken and defeated, that memory pushes you to incredible heights of fortitude and toughness that the sheer will to win just cannot match on its own.

The human spirit is an incredible one, especially when it’s playing for a spirit other than its own.

The Eagles, and the world, have lost a great man. However, in his place, they find a new reason to push forward. Even in death, Jim Johnson will remain a part of this team all the way to Miami and beyond.

Rest in peace, Jim. You will be missed.

News & Notes From Training Camp: Todd Pinkston Returns to Eagles

The biggest training camp story continues to be the absence of first-round pick Jeremy Maclin.

According to Andy Reid, the talks are continuing, but nothing has been signed or even agreed upon at this point. Right now, all he’s missing is meetings. However, at 8:45 tomorrow morning it gets real—he officially starts missing valuable time.

Reid pointed out how vital the camps are, and how being there on-time last year helped DeSean Jackson immensely with learning the playbook, getting his timing down, and everything else.

A lot goes into an NFL training camp; missing out is not an option for a young player with lofty expectations like Maclin.

The only thing that could be causing a delay at this point is the length of the contract. He waited to sign, so the Eagles are limited in what they can spend on their last rookie. They may be bickering about a few tens of thousands of dollars, but my guess is that the Eagles want to give him a six-year deal like was originally reported a month ago, but he wants a four-year deal.

 

Again, that’s just a guess. We’ll hear more once something is agreed upon, I’m sure.

Brian Westbrook, Victor Abiamiri, and Andrews Bros. Injury Updates

On the injury front, it appears as though Brian Westbrook and Victor Abiamiri will be ready to return by mid-August. For those of you saying, “Um, when did Abiamiri get hurt?” it was apparently a few days ago. He was benching and strained his pec.

The best news is Westbrook. Some people were questioning if he’d be able to make it back for Week 1, but the news now is that he may even see some time in the third game of the preseason just to shake off some rust before Week 1.

Abiamiri’s injury is costly for him. If he doesn’t return until mid-August, it means that he’s probably missing all of camp, and most certainly won’t be a starter, at least not at the beginning of the year.

This gives Juqua Parker a great shot to keep his job, but it’s just another knock against Abiamiri. He can’t stay healthy long enough to try and win this job. I’m sure the coaches are frustrated with him at this point.

Some more good news is that the Andrews brothers are good to go. Someone asked Dave Spadaro if the brothers were ready and all he said was, “Yes, 100 percent.”

Good to hear, hopefully it stays that way.

Pinkston Returns to the Eagles

Relax, not as a player.

The Eagles have brought Pinkston in as a coaching intern. I would assume he’s going to be shadowing David Culley, the Eagles’ wide receivers coach. However, there’s no word on what exactly Pinkston will be doing.

Pinkston caught a lot of heat as a player, some deserving and some not, but he always seemed to at least be a smart guy. Even if you don’t think he was a very good player, keep in mind the old saying, “Those who can’t do, teach.”

John Madden and Bill Cowher are Hall of Fame coaches (Madden is in already, Cowher will be one day) but were just awful players.

Interesting sidenote: John Madden was actually drafted by the Eagles in 1958 out of Cal-Poly. Maybe you learned something today.

 

Also Check Out 2 Minutes to Midnight Green AND EaglesBlog.net!

Questions Surrounding The Philadelphia Eagles Part One: The Offense

Every year there are questions surrounding not only the team as a whole, but each player individually.

These questions are the ones that will determine the player’s year, or rather, the answers will determine the year.

The offense has a ton of expectations to meet not only for themselves as a unit, but individually and to the fans, media, and coaches. The answers to the questions as individuals will shape the offense as a whole.

Jason Peters

Q: Can he prove that he’s not soft, and that last year’s season was simply an aberration?

A: I truly believe that he can. He’s playing with a chip on his shoulder, and that’s always a good thing for a player to have. The bonus incentive of protecting a future Hall of Fame guy like Donovan McNabb shouldn’t hurt, either.

Todd Herremans

Q: Can he rebound from a down year and learn to work with Jason Peters?

A: Herremans is the forgotten man along the line, which for me is a good thing. Offensive linemen are usually only remembered (while they’re playing) for the bad plays. Missing an assignment and getting your man killed, for example. Herremans doesn’t do that.

Jamaal Jackson

Q: Can he prove that he belongs as the center for this football team?

A: He was on the winning end of a position battle a few years back, but could find himself on the losing end this year if he’s not careful. Personally I think the call for Jackson’s job is premature and unwarranted. He’s a big reason why the line is so interchangeable. He puts them in place.

Stacy Andrews

Q: The obvious one is, can he rebound from that knee injury and deal with a position switch?

A: The knee injury was not good, that’s obvious. Not being a doctor, I’m not really suited to comment on the injury, but the training staff feels okay about it, so I’ll defer to them. The position switch should not be a big deal, he’ll just need to be a bit more powerful dealing with defensive tackles instead of defensive ends.

Shawn Andrews

Q: Far too many for Shawn, but my question is can he get back on the field mentally?

A: Shawn Andrews is without a doubt a top-five lineman when healthy, both mentally and physically. I think the addition of his brother and former college roommate (Peters) will help immensely. We should see that top-five Andrews, and not the sad-sack, oft-injured Andrews.

Nick Cole

Q: Can he prove that he deserves to take over Jackson’s job in the center?

A: Honestly, I don’t see Nick Cole as a starter just yet. He played very well last year at guard, but center and guard are different animals in the NFL. A center must be able to dissect a defense just as well as the quarterback, and I don’t see Cole being at that level just yet. He just doesn’t have enough experience playing the position.

Max Jean-Gilles

Q: Can he rebound from the broken ankle and show that he belongs as an eventual starter?

A: I’m a big fan of Jean-Gilles and think he could probably start on about 25 teams in this league. However, in Philly, he’s not a starter. He’s an incredible backup to have and is wonderful insurance for them at this point. I see Jean-Gilles leaving to start elsewhere in a couple years.

King Dunlap

Q: Can Dunlap show the skills and realize the potential that have kept him around this long?

A: Let’s face it, seventh-round picks usually don’t stick with a team past the first year. Dunlap was a seventh-round pick, has been injured, and is still on the roster. Why? They obviously see something in him. I thought highly of this kid coming out of college and if he can stay healthy, he may open some eyes at training camp.

Winston Justice

Q: Can he show why he was a second-round pick only a couple years ago?

A: “If they don’t bite when they’re puppies, they’re not going to bite when they’re grown dogs.” Ouch. That was Hugh Douglas’ assessment regarding Winston Justice just last year. Justice has all the talent and size in the world, but according to Douglas just does not play with the swagger necessary to play lineman in the NFL. Is he right? He usually is.

Mike Gibson/Mike McGlynn

Q: Can either of these guys step up and show that they should be the primary backups?

A: Right now, both of these guys are buried on the depth chart. Nick Cole is the backup at the center and right guard spot, Jean-Gilles is on the left, Justice is the backup right tackle, and Dunlap will probably wind up as the backup at the left tackle. They’ll need to impress in training camp, or they may find themselves on the street.

Brent Celek

Q: Can he produce for an entire year the way he did in the playoffs last season?

A: I absolutely believe that he can. Celek is obviously a very intelligent guy who is good at using his body to shield linebackers and safeties so that he can make a play on the ball. He must improve his in-line blocking, but as far as being a weapon in the passing game Celek is a guy I’d worry about as a defense.

Cornelius Ingram

Q: Can he play like the all-star he was before the knee injury?

A: Ingram is going to get some chances this season. The Eagles will probably use him as a split end in the red zone and use his size to their advantage. As a former basketball player at Florida, this guy has all the tools to be a great tight end in this league. I think he’ll take full advantage of his opportunities and the combination of him and Celek will have the Eagles set for many years.

Matt Schobel/Eugene Bright

Q: Can either of these guys separate themselves from the other for the third tight end spot?

A: Bright obviously has the highest hill to climb in his quest to knock off the incumbent, but Schobel certainly didn’t help himself with his play last year. Some key drops may have leveled the playing field for Bright. I see Bright landing on the practice squad with Schobel taking the third spot.

Kevin Curtis

Q: Was 2007 just a fluke, or can Curtis produce like a number one receiver?

A: Curtis is a very good wide receiver, however, he is not a No. 1 guy. Let’s not kid ourselves, he put up some good numbers but no one fears Curtis is the No. 1 guy split out wide. Now, in the slot it’s a different story, but don’t hold your breath on that happening.

DeSean Jackson

Q: Can he avoid the sophomore slump and get even better for his second season?

A: The “sophomore slump” usually comes from players who have a good first year, then become complacent. They think it will just fall into place so they stop working as hard. For Fraction Jackson, I don’t see that as being the case. Being drafted in the second round will be a chip he’ll wear on his shoulder for the rest of his career. Look for D-Jack to be even better than last year.

Jeremy Maclin

Q: Can he transition from the spread offense to the west coast offense?

A: Maclin still does not have a deal in place, which is not a good sign heading into training camp tomorrow. However, with full faith that a deal will get done, Maclin should be just fine. The coaches rave about how he’s a smart kid and has picked up the offense fairly well to think point. Smarts and speed win games in the NFL, and this kid has both.

Jason Avant

Q: Can he evolve from third-down savior to an every-down big play threat?

A: I’m a big fan of Jason Avant, as I believe most Philly fans are. He’s not afraid to go over the middle or go up for a ball, and he has the strongest hands on the team. However, Avant has seemingly only made his mark on third down in years past. This year I believe he will take that next step in becoming that every-down possession receiver.

Hank Baskett

Q: Can he step up his game and earn more playing time in a crowded field of receivers?

A: Baskett is a confusing guy. One game it looks like he could be a dominating force, and the next he completely disappears. This could speak to his work ethic, perhaps spending too much time with wife, Kendra, and friends, but I can’t be sure of that. One thing I can be sure of is that if he doesn’t pick his game up he’ll have plenty of time to talk to her on the sidelines.

Reggie Brown

Q: Can he take a step in becoming the receiver that the Eagles thought he would be?

A: I’m not nearly as down on Reggie Brown as most seem to be. His first couple of years were very productive, then an injury last season had him see very limited time. Being healthy and benched in favor of Greg Lewis in the NFC Championship game doesn’t help the notion that Reid will probably part ways with another perceived second-round bust.

Brandon Gibson

Q: Can this sixth-round pick show enough in camp to earn a roster spot?

A: I believe this is an unequivocal “Yes.” I don’t know who the Eagles will move in order to make room for this kid, but I believe it will happen. Talking to some people who follow Washington State, they rave about his hands and pure talent. He played on a bad team last year, which hurt his numbers and his draft stock, but with people around him he’s a real weapon.

Leonard Weaver

Q: Can he give this offense the boost that they were missing without a fullback last season?

A: Bringing in Weaver may have been the most underrated offseason move of any team in the league. If you look at the teams with great running games (Carolina, Baltimore, Tennessee), they all have a great fullback. I think Weaver will add a boost to this running game that the Eagles have never had before.

Kyle Eckel

Q: Can Eckel show that he’s not just a tweener and make a mark?

A: Eckel is a difficult guy to place. He’s built like a small fullback, but isn’t fast enough to play running back. The Eagles will undoubtedly only keep one fullback (Weaver), so he’ll have to show enough to beat out a guy the Eagles gave up a fourth-round pick for in Lorenzo Booker. Unfortunately, I don’t see Eckel making the roster.

Lorenzo Booker

Q: Can he show the talent that he displayed at Floria State to warrant a fourth-round pick?

A: Booker will probably get at least one more season to show that he can be the “mini-Westbrook” that the Eagles thought he could be. Reid and company hate giving up picks enough as it is, so they certainly won’t quit on Booker this early with only one season under his belt. He’ll have a chance for some playing time in camp with Westy out, so he needs to put on a show.

Brian Westbrook

Q: Will the injury bug haunt him again this year, or will he be able to stay healthy?

A: It’s no secret that the Eagles only expect about 14 games a year out of Westbrook because at this point—he is who he is. While we’d love to see him stay healthy for an entire year, the main objective at this point in his career should be to keep him as fresh as possible for the playoffs where he’s really needed.

LeSean McCoy

Q: He’s got huge expectations, can he live up to the billing as the next Westbrook?

A: If I were the Eagles, I’d be giving McCoy the bulk of the carries this year. I got the chance to see this kid play high school ball where he lit it up, then again in college where he made the best players in the country look like fools. He’s a great kid, and an unbelievable talent. When this draft is reviewed in three years, McCoy will be talked about as one of the biggest steals.

A.J. Feeley

Q: Does he push Kolb out of the No. 2 spot and take over the job he deserves?

A: They say that one of the most important positions on a football team in the backup quarterback. Matt Cassel has put a new spin on that phrase and teams will start looking a lot closer at who is their backup. That being said, Feeley should be the backup for this team. He’s the obvious better quarterback.

Kevin Kolb

Q: Can he prove that he has the mental and physical skills to be an NFL quarterback?

A: So far Kolb has shown nothing other than the fact that he’s not ready for the NFL. If McNabb were to go down, does anyone really want Kolb running the show, or would we rather see Feeley? I’d say I would rather see the guy who has won games for this team and shown some promise, rather than the guy who has only lost games and shown nothing.

Donovan McNabb

Q: Can he finally take the Eagles to the promised land and hoist the Lombardi trophy?

A: Putting bias aside, I believe McNabb can finally do what the Eagles brought him in to do 11 years ago. He has his guaranteed money, he has weapons around him in a new left tackle, a new running back, and a new wide receiver. If McNabb can stay healthy, and the playmakers around him stay healthy, the Eagles should finally get that elusive Lombardi trophy.

 

Also Check Out 2 Minutes to Midnight Green!

Michael Vick to Be Conditionally Reinstated, Then Suspended for Four Games

According to Don Banks of SI.com, Michael Vick and Roger Goodell had a sit-down chat today in New Jersey to talk about his future with the NFL.

Now according to ESPN and PFT.com, Goodell has tentatively decided that Vick will be conditionally reinstated, then suspended for the first four games of the 2009 season.

A conditional reinstatement is what we saw with Pacman Jones last offseason. He was allowed to attend training camp and go to practice, but wasn’t guaranteed that he wouldn’t be suspended for a few games.

While Jones did not get further suspension, Vick will not be so lucky.

According to the reports, Goodell has decided to suspend Vick for the first month of the 2009 NFL season. Really, that’s about the best that Vick could have hoped for.

Considering the fact that Vick lied about what he was doing, was caught doing it, then spent nearly two years in a federal prison because of it, four games may be light. Especially considering the iron fist that Goodell has pounded into the NFL and its players several times before.

Will Vick find a new team? That has yet to be seen as no team has stepped up and said, “Yes, we have interest in Michael Vick.” Well, no NFL team anyway.

The Orlando franchise of the UFL currently holds his rights were he to give up on the NFL (or more likely, have the NFL give up on him) and come play for the UFL.

The UFL doesn’t seem to have much of a chance at Vick any longer considering their contract lasts until November 28, long after Vick’s NFL suspension would be up. Also, on top of all that, the UFL would only be able to pay a fraction of what Vick would be making in the NFL.

While this is obviously not set in stone, this appears to be the most probable course of action for the league at this point.

When this is finalized, Vick will be able to sign with any team willing to take a chance on him. The only question is, does such a team exist?

 

Also Check Out 2 Minutes to Midnight Green!

The Top Five: Best Head Coaches in the NFL

It’s often debated how much of the credit and how much of the criticism a head coach deserves for the fate of his team.

After all, it is his team. He is the go-to guy and the man making all of the decisions. But on the other hand, he’s not out on the field, so why should he get the credit?

Similar to most debates in the world of football, it will never see an end.

However, there is something to be said for a head coach and the way the team plays—especially if that coach also happens to take on the role of calling the plays, as a lot of head coaches are doing these days.

Either way, a coach will always receive the blame when the team doesn’t play well, but never enough of the credit when they are.

It’s a thankless job, really. Facing long hours at night and away from home, they don’t receive the celebrity status of the players, and in most cases do not even sniff their salaries.

But someone has to do it, and these are the guys who do it best.

 

5. Jeff Fisher (Tennessee Titans)

128-102 regular season, .557 win%, 5-6 playoffs, .455 win%, 0-1 Super Bowl

Fisher is currently the longest-tenured coach in the NFL with 15 years under his belt, all on the same team.

He has been with this team through their transition from the Houston Oilers, to the Tennessee Oilers, to the Tennessee Titans. Most teams fall apart during a move like that, but the presence of Fisher kept the team intact.

He molded the future Hall of Famer in the late Steve McNair, and many years he helped his teams to overachieve and accomplish more than most thought they could.

Just the simple fact that he’s been with one team for 15 years in this day and age is enough to show what a good coach he is, especially taking into account that every four years there are 32 new NFL head coaches.

 

4. Tom Coughlin (New York Giants)

115-93 regular season, .553 win%, 8-7 playoffs, .533 win%, 1-0 Super Bowl

Coughlin isn’t exactly a “player’s coach.”

In fact, at the beginning of his tenure most players just downright hated him. However, he earns their trust and their respect, which makes him a good coach.

When he took over the expansion Jacksonville Jaguars, no one expected much out of them for several years. However, in only his second year with the team, and of the team’s entire existence, he lead them to the AFC Championship game, where they fell just short.

Over the next three years the Jaguars would see an increase in regular season wins from nine to 11 in consecutive seasons, and even 14 wins in 1999. However, they would only win two playoff games over that stretch.

After consecutive 6-10 seasons with the Jaguars, he was fired. He was hired by the Giants, where he proceeded to again take his team to a 6-10 record.

He bounced back, however, in 2005 with an 11-win season and a division title, effectively keeping his job safe for about another two years, which is all it would take to get him his first Super Bowl victory.

 

3. Mike Tomlin (Pittsburgh Steelers)

22-10 regular season, .688 win%, 3-1 playoffs, .750 win%, 1-0 Super Bowl

Tomlin doesn’t have a huge body of work, but it’s tough to put him any lower.

Twenty-two wins in his first two seasons is impressive enough, but a Super Bowl victory just makes it that much better.

He’s a young guy, so he can communicate with the players better than most older coaches because there’s a relevance and connection with the age and just overall life experiences.

He’s a fiery guy who can often be seen jumping around and cheering on the sidelines, which makes it obvious how much he loves what he does—and it radiates through every single player in that locker room.

This is a guy who just stepped in and immediately understood what it was going to take to get the players to not only respond to him, but also to respect and trust him. He’s found a great balance of playing friend and authority figure, which really is the key to becoming a great coach in this league.

Tomlin is an old school guy who can communicate in a new school kind of way, and he should have sustained success in Pittsburgh.

 

2. Andy Reid (Philadelphia Eagles)

97-62-1 regular season, .610 win%, 10-7 playoffs, .588 win%, 0-1 Super Bowl

With the firing of Mike Shanahan, Reid becomes the second longest-tenured active coach in the NFL, of course behind Jeff Fisher.

When Reid gets his 100th regular season win, he will be among the fastest coaches to ever do that, and with his 100th overall win, he will become the first coach since John Madden to win 100 games in only 10 years with one team.

During Reid’s 10 years in Philadelphia, he has only two losing seasons, seven winning seasons, and one .500 season. One of those losing seasons was in his very first year as a head coach, and the other came the year after losing the Super Bowl.

Many Philadelphia fans have been spoiled by Reid and forget what it was like before he was in Philadelphia.

Reid changed the culture of a losing football team and has turned them into a perennial NFC powerhouse: five NFC Championship games in 10 years to go along with five division titles and a Super Bowl appearance after taking over a 3-13 team.

If and when Reid gets a ring, he will be a lock for the Hall of Fame.

 

1. Bill Belichick (New England Patriots)

138-86 regular season, .616 win%, 15-4 playoffs, .789 win%, 3-1 Super Bowl

This was a fairly obvious choice, and I’m sure it’s not a surprise to see Bill Belichick top this list.

The numbers are hard to argue. Since joining the Patriots in 2000, he is 102-42, which equates to a .708 win percentage with three Super Bowl victories.

Those are Hall of Fame-type numbers.

Belichick is an odd case because while in Cleveland, he seemed lost. He was not able to connect with players or ever set a real plan in motion. During his time there he only had one winning season and one playoff win.

Realistically, with what he’s done in New England, it wouldn’t matter if he didn’t win a single game in Cleveland.

He’s had one losing season since he joined New England, which was his first season there in 2000. The next year he won his first Super Bowl and set the ball in motion that created the dynasty of the New England Patriots.

Belichick will probably be remembered as the greatest coach of his generation, and perhaps one of the greatest coaches of all time.

 

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The Top Five: Best Quarterbacks in the NFL

Unlike the rest of the positions on offense and defense, the role of quarterback has remained relatively unchanged since the NFL’s inception.

It has become harder to read defenses because they’ve become increasingly complex through the years, but the quarterback is still expected to lead their team and put them in a position to win.

They are the glory-hogs of the NFL. A quarterback is usually the face of the franchise, and the money-maker. It’s tough to win without one, and having a good one makes winning easier.

In order to be a successful quarterback, that player must gain the trust, respect, and confidence of his team. He must put up the stats, of course, to back up his play, and winning a Super Bowl or two doesn’t exactly hurt.

I expect this to be a highly controversial list, and perhaps the one with the most interchangeable parts. Based on the criteria above, I’m confident that these men are the top five quarterbacks in the NFL today.

 

5. Philip Rivers (San Diego Chargers)

48 games started, 33-15, 890-1428, 62.3%, 10,697 yards, 78 TDs-36 INTs, 92.9 QB Rating, one-time Pro Bowler

Of all the Pro Bowl snubs I’ve encountered, this may be the absolute worst.

34 touchdowns to only 11 interceptions, and this guy doesn’t get a nod for the Pro Bowl? It’s outrageous to think that anyone was more deserving.

While Rivers originally entered the NFL with an “immature” label, he has since indisputably ripped that sticker right off his chest.

Playing in the AFC Championship game with a torn ACL was one of the single greatest acts of selflessness and toughness I have ever seen on the football field. He knew that he was counted on to lead his team, and he wasn’t going to let anything stop him.

On top of this obvious courage, he throws one of the prettiest balls in the entire league. He can throw long, he can throw short, he can hit the intermediate route, he can put the ball on a rope, or he can give it just the right arc to land safely in his receivers hands.

He’s an unreal talent, and I’d be extremely shocked if he doesn’t win San Diego a Super Bowl before he’s done.

 

4. Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints)

106 games started, 55-51, 2,334-3,650, 63.9%, 26,258 yards, 168 TDs-99 INTs, 89.4 QB Rating, three-time Pro Bowler and one-time All-Pro

Your initial reaction to Brees being at No. 4 is, why so low?

First off, what has he won? Yes, he had a couple winning seasons in San Diego, but he didn’t get them anywhere. He has also never won more than 10 games in New Orleans, and only has one winning season in the three years he’s been there.

While that’s not all his fault, as the leader of the team, he does shoulder some of the responsibility.

For all the yards and the touchdowns, he throws far too many interceptions. In fact, since taking over as a starter in 2002, he averages 14 interceptions per year. A number that would be much higher were it not for 2004, a year in which he only threw seven interceptions. 

That year was also the only time in his career where didn’t thrown double-digit interceptions.

Brees is a great talent, and could one day even hold the NFL’s record for passing yards. The man is an absolute machine and maybe the most accurate quarterback in the league.

However, his lack of playoff success keeps him out of my top three.

 

3. Donovan McNabb (Philadelphia Eagles)

128 games started, 82-45-1, 2,534-4,303, 59%, 29,320 yards, 194 TDs-90 INTs, 85.9 QB Rating, five-time Pro Bowler

McNabb is definitely the most overly-scrutinized quarterback in the NFL today, and perhaps in the history of this great league.

While he’s not a touchdown machine, and probably not the most accurate of quarterbacks, he is the least intercepted of any quarterback in the history of the NFL.

Not only that, but he was also the first quarterback to throw over 30 touchdowns, and less than 10 interceptions (31 touchdowns to eight interceptions, to be exact). Add on the fact that he’s one of only six quarterbacks in league history to have over 25,000 passing yards and 3,000 rushing yards, and you’ve got a special guy.

At the moment, McNabb sits at 29,320 passing yards, and 3,109 rushing yards. This year, or next year at the very latest, he will become only the fourth quarterback in NFL history to pass for over 30,000 yards, and rush for over 3,500; joining Fran Tarkenton, Steve Young, and the late Steve McNair.

He has led his team to five NFC Championship games, winning one of them, and coming within three points of preventing the New England Patriots from becoming a dynasty.

Say what you will about Donovan McNabb, but the man has the stats of Hall of Famer, and the wins of a Hall of Famer.

For those who will say he’s injured too often, I point to Steve Young, who only played three complete seasons. He also had a career record a 94-49. Similar, wouldn’t you say?

 

2. Tom Brady (New England Patriots)

111 games started, 87-24, 2,301-3,653, 63%, 26,446 yards, 197 TDs-86 INTs, 92.9 QB Rating, four-time Pro Bowler and one-time All-Pro

Tom Brady has the rings and his stats are good enough, so why only second?

Brady, while a great quarterback, benefits from playing in a great system. Matt Cassel gave that away when he stepped in and performed the way that he did.

However, that being said, Brady runs that system like no one else could. Well, besides our No. 1 guy (guess who that might be).

He is cool under pressure, he has a very accurate ball, and really knows when to put the extra zip needed on the ball, or when to throw a nice lob. He’s great at reading defenses and anticipating where his guys are going to be, which gives him an edge.

Like McNabb, Brady has had very little around him for his entire career. That is, up until 2007, and we all saw what happened then.

He’s a great quarterback, probably in the top 10 of all time, but the guy ahead of him definitely is as well.

 

1. Peyton Manning (Indianapolis Colts)

176 games started, 117-59, 3,839-5,960, 64.4%, 45,628 yards, 333 TDs-165 INTs, 94.7 QB Rating, nine-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro

Not only does Manning have an incredible arm, intelligence, and even good pocket mobility, but he also is one of the toughest quarterbacks to ever play the game.

Since coming into the league and becoming a starter in 1998, he has not missed a single game. 176 straight starts for Manning.

How can he stay so healthy? He doesn’t take hits when he doesn’t have to. Many times you will see quarterbacks holding onto the ball too long, and while they make the throw, they will take a nasty hit at the end.

Manning doesn’t do that.

He’s very good at getting the ball out of his hands quickly, mainly because he has already dissected the defense and knows exactly what is going on.

Manning also doubles as the team’s offensive coordinator. Even while Tom Moore was there, all he did was call in concepts. From there, Manning would diagnose the defense, and call a play.

All of those times you think he’s calling an audible, he’s really only calling the play at that moment.

Were Manning in a system like Brady’s, he probably would have three or four rings by now, if not five or six already, he could be that dominating.

Since his rookie year, he’s never thrown less than 3,700 yards or less than 26 touchdowns. He’s up and down everything that you could possibly want in a quarterback, and now that he’s got that ring, there is no doubt that he is the best the NFL currently has to offer.

 

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