Packers to hire LaFleur (page 8), Hackett hired as OC (page 13)

[JohnBriggs12]

Just posted this in the Packers thread, but probably a better fit here. While its obviously still very early in the process, here are some names I'm hearing through the limited contacts I have:

 

1. Pete Charmichael Jr. - OC - Saints

2. Joe Lombardi - QB Coach - Saints

3. Mike Kafka - QB Coach - Chiefs

4. Josh McDaniels - OC - Patriots

5. Pat Fitzgerald - Head Coach - Northwestern University

6. Zac Taylor - QB Coach - Rams

7. Lincoln Riley - Head Coach - Oklahoma

8. Mike Groh - OC - Eagles

 

My main contact is very high on Mike Kafka, and considers him the early leader, if not a major darkhorse, for the job. Kafka is a former Northwestern QB, is extremely intelligent, and has gotten major accolades for his work with Patrick Mahomes. He is 31 years old, four years younger than his QB would be.

 

 

Lombardi would be nostalgic, but then I quickly remember how bad he was as the OC for the Lions. It's a copycat league, and definitely see them looking at assistants for the Rams, Saints and Chiefs. Of course when they hired McCarthy, he was the OC for the 32nd ranked offense in the NFL that year.

 

I could see Kafka with the Northwestern connection. I wouldn't hold Lomardi's time in Detroit against him. It's not like they've won anything since he left and he obviously has great rapport with a veteran QB. Just the thought of Vince's grandson coaching the Packers gives me chills.

[SeaBass]

The image of a scion of Vince Lombardi, hoisting the Lombardi trophy in celebration of a Green Bay Packers Super Bowl victory is a really pleasant image indeed.

[tmwiese55]

I know this is outside the box and likely no one would think of it. And I know there's been some late game blunders in his years that he's been ripped for. But it seems every time I watch WAS play there is receivers running wide open and they've scored points for several years in a row now with mediocre QBs and no name skill position players. I'd be curious what that Gruden could do with Rodgers and these WRs. Basically I'd say they've overachieved their talent almost every year he's been in WAS. For him, leave the idiot owner that is Snyder and go to Rodgers seems like a no brainer.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

I heard a snippet on the local sports talk radio station this morning that said Lincoln Riley has already reached out to the Packers to express interest in the job. Obviously all rumors right now, but he's sure to be a hot name after Black Monday. He's known as an offensive coach and dynamic playcaller who would bring youth and enthusiasm to the coaching staff. I would hope that if he's the choice, he'd keep Pettine on as the DC, but change over some of the positional coaches. Winston Moss needs to go away.

 

The bizarre exchange with Moss last summer was the first sign of something awry IMO.

 

LOL the guy was obviously off his nut. Glad he's gone.

[nodakfan17]

So definitely not Winston Moss, right?

 

Jokes aside, I saw him once at Barnes & Noble in Green Bay and he looked like a recently retired NFL linebacker, not a 50 year-old man. He also saw my son get excited about a Winnie the Pooh book and said he really liked Pooh too. Seemed like a nice guy.

[PlayerHader]

What bizarre exchange with Winston Moss last summer?

[OldSchoolSnapper]

http://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-watch-packers-associate-coach-winston-moss-stares-down-reporters-video/i7o20p9vzqa51fekwc2ubbk4r

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

What bizarre exchange with Winston Moss last summer?

 

http://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-watch-packers-associate-coach-winston-moss-stares-down-reporters-video/i7o20p9vzqa51fekwc2ubbk4r

 

Sorry, it was June during organized team activities, not during training camp.

[homer]

I really like Fitzgerald but I wonder if his rah rah thing would work in the NFL? His teams are always very solid and they have an innovative offense.

 

Their offense isn't all that innovative and why would Fitzgerald give up the security of a contract that runs until 2030?

 

His contract runs through 2026. Assuming he makes $3.5 million per year that's about $28 million. He'd probably make more than that on a five year deal in the NFL. Maybe he wants a new challenge? And he has a relationship with Mark Murphy. Not to mention the guy is only 43 if he flames out in the NFL he can always return to the college ranks. I'd be willing to bet Northwestern would take him back with open arms. At any rate, I'm just throwing out a name for discussion.

[Jenkins5]

I think McDaniels is much more ready than he was a decade ago in Denver plus will not have full control over player personal allowing him to focus on just coaching. With how great his relationship is with Brady & the respect there. I feel that ARod being buddies with Brady would help with ARod buying in to him. He just seems like the natural fit. Riley is the exciting pick but he is very young with no NFL experience. Be interesting to see if he is next McVay or another HC bust.

 

I listened to James Jones yesterday & him saying they should go defense made ton of sense. Build that defense up to an elite level to help ARod & retain Philbon or bring in a young rising QB coach like Kafka or Taylor to innovate offense. I’m a big fan of Kris Richards and think he has chance to be very good head coach

[Point Beer Is Best]

John DeFelippo (OC, Vikings) - The shine on this guy has really come off. Based on where the Eagles, Vikings, and Colts (yesterday notwithstanding) have looked offensively, I think Frank Reich may have been the offensive genius in the room. Zimmer hired him to run the offense, and has been increasingly critical of the playcalling of late. The criticism is that DeFelippo is trying to show too much creativity at times (to showcase himself for a HC gig) when they should be trying to run the ball more. While it might be fun to take a guy from a division rival, we might actually be doing them a favor.

 

Well the Vikings just fired DeFelippo after another abysmal performance last night, so we can probably go ahead and cross him off the list.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

John DeFelippo (OC, Vikings) - The shine on this guy has really come off. Based on where the Eagles, Vikings, and Colts (yesterday notwithstanding) have looked offensively, I think Frank Reich may have been the offensive genius in the room. Zimmer hired him to run the offense, and has been increasingly critical of the playcalling of late. The criticism is that DeFelippo is trying to show too much creativity at times (to showcase himself for a HC gig) when they should be trying to run the ball more. While it might be fun to take a guy from a division rival, we might actually be doing them a favor.

 

Well the Vikings just fired DeFelippo after another abysmal performance last night, so we can probably go ahead and cross him off the list.

 

LOL, that's awesome! As a Packer fan, I take solace in the fact that the Vikings are apparently more dysfunctional than the Packers. That team's 40-year run of paper championships is continuing.

[nodakfan17]

I’m a little bummed the Ravens are bringing John Harbough back. I thought he’d be a good fit in Green Bay.

[Jenkins5]

Caldwell & Paguno interviewed for job today..... couldn’t be less enthusiastic. However, I get you can’t interview coaches until they are out of playoffs or until their bowls are done (at least most won’t).

 

I’m pulling for Fitzgerald, Vangio, McDaniels as of right now

[PeaveyFury]

Pagano was one of the hot coaches in the league until Luck's career imploded. I have no issues with them kicking the tires on him, actually.

 

Caldwell has a Wisconsin tie (born/grew up in Beloit) and his interview accomodates the Rooney Rule. I'd think it's a courtesy interview rather than a serious one, IMO.

 

No major issue with either getting brought in on my end. I don't want Caldwell at all, but as this is the first round, I'm not concerned that he'll be the best candidate.

 

Interesting note on Pagano- Philbin was on his last staff in Indy, and Pettine and Pagano were on the Baltimore defensive staff together.

[JohnBriggs12]

Caldwell is 63. That's the same age as John Fox. How'd that work for the Bears? Sorry but I think they need someone at least under 60 and I'd prefer someone under 50 myself.

[CheezWizHed]

Caldwell is 63. That's the same age as John Fox. How'd that work for the Bears? Sorry but I think they need someone at least under 60 and I'd prefer someone under 50 myself.

 

JB, I'm surprised at your agism... Age isn't the issue. Being creative, a good coach, and working with millenials is the key.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Caldwell would quite possibly be the least inspiring hire they could possibly make. Well, besides Philbin of course. I think he's simply a "fulfill the Rooney Rule" token interview.

 

Pagano is a little more interesting, but I think they can do better.

[nodakfan17]

Caldwell is 63. That's the same age as John Fox. How'd that work for the Bears? Sorry but I think they need someone at least under 60 and I'd prefer someone under 50 myself.

 

JB, I'm surprised at your agism... Age isn't the issue. Being creative, a good coach, and working with millenials is the key.

 

But by your own criteria, isn’t a younger coach more likely to be creative and better with Millenials? I’m not dismissing older candidates (Belichick and Saban are both in their late 60s), but I’d prefer someone in the 40-60 age range. That’s when people are in their decision-making prime.

[CheezWizHed]

Caldwell is 63. That's the same age as John Fox. How'd that work for the Bears? Sorry but I think they need someone at least under 60 and I'd prefer someone under 50 myself.

 

JB, I'm surprised at your agism... Age isn't the issue. Being creative, a good coach, and working with millenials is the key.

 

But by your own criteria, isn’t a younger coach more likely to be creative and better with Millenials? I’m not dismissing older candidates (Belichick and Saban are both in their late 60s), but I’d prefer someone in the 40-60 age range. That’s when people are in their decision-making prime.

 

I'm not sure how "my own criteria" leads to that conclusion. Each individual is unique in their creativity and abililty to lead a team. MM is 55 years old (within your 40-60 age critieria) and by all subjective criteria, he showed no creativity at the end. Yes, age and health steals and slows people's capabilities but that doesn't mean you simply exclude them. At age 91, Dick van Dyke danced up on a desk for Mary Poppins Returns and was 100x better than I could ever be at under half his age.

 

My point was just because Fox failed with the Bears doesn't mean Caldwell would fail with the Packers. Pairing Caldwell with John DeFilippo and Pettine (OC and DC) would be very interesting to me; mixing some old school and new school ideas together. Let Caldwell patrol the sidelines and be the sideline general, while DeFilippo and Pettine call the plays from the booth.

 

Pagano could be good too, but in general, I'm not in favor of a defensive minded HC.

[CheezWizHed]

Sorry, for the double post, but I want to add a bit about DeFillipo. No, I'm not ready to have him be the HC, but I wouldn't blink if they named him OC. His "failure" in Minnesota shouldn't be weighed too heavily on his shoulders.

 

I live in the Twin Cities (stupid decision... I know). And there is SO much talk about simplifying the offense for Cousins that its hillarious. About the mid-point of the season, all the sports announcers were talking about how confusing the offense was for Cousins and how much they needed the run game. Since DeFillipo left, everyone talks about the reduced number of plays and options to those plays have helped Cousins execute better (we will see how much "better" he will be against the Bears).

 

Personally, I think they signed Cousins to be the incoming QB savior and when they found out that DeFillipo's offense was too complicated, one of them had to go. And it wasn't going to be their big FA QB addition. Granted, the scuttle among fans is that he needs to go too...

 

I'd get some grief if the Packers signed DeFillipo, but I think he and Rodgers would be a great pairing. And we would have the last laugh...

[CheezWizHed]

Going for the hat trick...

 

As expected, Pat Fitzgerald has been requested to interview, but no word on if he accepted.

[nodakfan17]

I hear some teams are interested in trading for John Harbough.

 

Boy, I hope that’s not the Packers. I was really hoping the Ravens would cut him loose, but there’s no way I’d trade the Saints’ pick for him.

[PeaveyFury]

Probably worth noting the other ‘black Monday ‘ firings here, as Tampa starts it off by firing Koetter.

[JosephC]

I kind of feel about Fitzgerald like I felt about Bielema. There may be bigger money at that next job, but if the guy stays where he is at he's basically set for life. It's probably a given that Fitzgerald is towards the bottom of the pay-scale for Big 10 coaches, and I wouldn't be surprised if a move to Green Bay would get him three to four times the annual salary he currently makes. But if I were in his shoes, it would be very tough for me to leave Northwestern for any other job. He's got it good there and it's obviously a wonderful fit for both sides.