Phins should be taking a run at Pioli

[IluvJuMiami]

POSTED 9:21 a.m. EST; UPDATED 10:01 a.m. EST, December 28, 2006
GIANTS' SHORT-TERM FUTURE FULL OF POSSIBLE SURPRISES
Okay, we know that we promised to share the "stunning" news that we've picked up regarding the future of the Giants last night, but we were putting up other stories and doing other holiday-related stuff and wanted to have the time to sit down and focus on this one.
Anyway, here's what we've picked up, all from our network of league and industry sources.
First, former Texans and Redskins G.M. Charley Casserly is regarded as the top prospect to replace Ernie Accorsi in New York. Casserly was interviewed for the job last week.
Second, New England V.P. of player personnel Scott Pioli wants the Giants G.M. job, but Bob and Jonathan Kraft (who own the Patriots) don't want to let him go -- and the Giants apparently are inclined to defer to them, which Cleveland owner Randy Lerner supposedly did a couple of years ago before Phil Savage was hired as the Browns G.M.
Third, the Patriots (as we hear it) are more inclined to let coach Bill Belichick leave than Pioli. Myra Kraft, the wife of Bob Kraft, is said to be very troubled by reports of Belichick's alleged "relationship" with a married woman in New Jersey, which information surfaced earlier this year in connection with the woman's divorce proceedings.
Fourth, the Giants aren't inclined to hire Belichick because of those same dynamics. "They don't need another P.R. nightmare," said one source. Just last week, Page Six of the New York Post disclosed thatthe divorce complaint has been amended by Vincent Shenocca to accuse his wife and Belichick of adultery.
Fifth, if Casserly gets the G.M. job, his first choice for head coach will be former Packers coach Mike Sherman, who was hired as an assistant with the Texans while Casserly's tenure was winding down.
Sixth, a dark horse candidate for the Giants job is Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Morningsomething. (Insert shudder here.)
Seventh, and finally, Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis wants the Giants job, but realizes that it could be a dead end in the short term. He likewise doesn't want to leave the Irish so soon after his arrival two seasons ago.
So there you have it. The current talk from folks in the know. Regardless of what actually happens, it's gonna be an interesting ride for the G-men over the next couple of weeks.

http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm

The Patriots roster has been flooded year in and year out with no-name players who step up and preform. Pioli is a gem and the perfect opportunity to strip Saban of his GM responsibilities.​

 

[emocomputerjock]

The Pats got lucky and found Brady though - he's been the constant nucleus for the Pats. It's got to piss Saban off that he doesn't have the same luxury, because it's so much easier to build a team when you have the QB position locked down.

 

[IluvJuMiami]

The Pats got lucky and found Brady though - he's been the constant nucleus for the Pats. It's got to piss Saban off that he doesn't have the same luxury, because it's so much easier to build a team when you have the QB position locked down.

Granted, Brady is a God amongst QBs, but he's far from the only reason the Pats are successful. Brady gets exceptional protection from his OL and struggles in those rare occurrences where the OL is overwhelmed. How many different RBs, all of them average, have the Pats utilized and excelled with? And now they've aquired an above average talent and a possible future star(as if they needed another) in one Laurence Maroney who was rated at the top of the Phins draft board but was obviously not compelling enough to our current staff to garner influence over an injured prospect who missed his SR year in college. Seems like ESPN was ripping their depth at WR every other Sportcenter at the inception of the season for their lack of marque players, seems like securing the AFC East championship yet again has taken that talk down a peg or two.

 

[FinNasty]

I really like Pioli... and while I think Saban has been fine as a GM and dont want those responsibilities stripped from him yet... I wouldnt mind if they were stripped for Pioli.

 

[emocomputerjock]

Granted, Brady is a God amongst QBs, but he's far from the only reason the Pats are successful. Brady gets exceptional protection from his OL and struggles in those rare occurrences where the OL is overwhelmed. How many different RBs, all of them average, have the Pats utilized and excelled with? And now they've aquired an above average talent and a possible future star(as if they needed another one) in one Laurence Maroney who was rated at the top of the Phins draft board but was obviously not compelling enough to our current staff to garner influence over an injured prospect who missed his SR year in college. Seems like ESPN was ripping their depth at WR every other Sportcenter at the inception of the season for their lack of marque players, seems like securing the AFC East championship yet again has taken that talk down a peg or two.

Agreed - what I meant to say is that thanks to Brady being there, they can build an offensive system around him, and it's easier to plug and play roleplayers than it is to get that one superstar WR or RB. Dillion and Maroney make a good backfield, but I honestly can't name 3 other guys on thier offense (I should be keeping tabs since they're division rivals, but meh).

 

[PhinGeneral]

Granted, Brady is a God amongst QBs, but he's far from the only reason the Pats are successful. Brady gets exceptional protection from his OL and struggles in those rare occurrences where the OL is overwhelmed. How many different RBs, all of them average, have the Pats utilized and excelled with? And now they've aquired an above average talent and a possible future star(as if they needed another) in one Laurence Maroney who was rated at the top of the Phins draft board but was obviously not compelling enough to our current staff to garner influence over an injured prospect who missed his SR year in college. Seems like ESPN was ripping their depth at WR every other Sportcenter at the inception of the season for their lack of marque players, seems like securing the AFC East championship yet again has taken that talk down a peg or two.

It may have taken the talk down, but the problem still exists, and eventually it will probably be exposed and talked about again. That they won the AFC East shows that, despite what a lot of people think around here, you don't need to be strong with every unit on your football team to make the playoffs, or even the Super Bowl.

 

[IluvJuMiami]

It may have taken the talk down, but the problem still exists, and eventually it will probably be exposed and talked about again. That they won the AFC East shows that, despite what a lot of people think around here, you don't need to be strong with every unit on your football team to make the playoffs, or even the Super Bowl.

Truer words were never spoken. I think, more than anything, you need to be strong at QB and strong at HC. Pioli is responsible for half of that equation. And then comes the age old question- Is Belichick Belichick without a Brady?

 

[IluvJuMiami]

Agreed - what I meant to say is that thanks to Brady being there, they can build an offensive system around him, and it's easier to plug and play roleplayers than it is to get that one superstar WR or RB. Dillion and Maroney make a good backfield, but I honestly can't name 3 other guys on thier offense (I should be keeping tabs since they're division rivals, but meh).

Absolutely. Having a solid foundation is vital when erecting a marvel.

 

[dolphingal]

Brady's OL is anything but exceptional! It is mid tier at best. What makes Brady so great is that he is great in the pocket and sidesteps his way to buy time. Therefore giving many this illusion of a great OL. Fact is, Brady makes them look better than they are most of the time.

Matt Light is one of the middle of the road LT's in the NFL. He gets his doors blown off by Taylor, Freeney, and Scobee(Buffalo ?) most of the time. Also, he has faced many years with a ton of injuries to that OL. Last year losing his center, LT and RT - all who went to the IR. He had two rookies protecting his left side last year and still led the league in passing.

Remember that guy named Marino? He did the same. Just a slight move to the right, and moving up in that pocket will do wonders for your OL. Brady has that same capability as Marino. It's called Talent!

 

[Nick13]

interesting thing here is it looks like Belichick might be on the outs if he doesnt resolve this personal issue.

now granted if he leaves, he'll likely be number one on every teams list for a head coach, but if this 'scandal' gets out of control, he may want to stay a little more out of the spotlight.

i dont know, but maybe Saban might be inclined to offer his old buddy a job coaching the defense down in the warm weather of Miami. just a thought. probably wont happen, because everyone has a price, but interesting none the less.

 

[IluvJuMiami]

Brady's OL is anything but exceptional! It is mid tier at best. What makes Brady so great is that he is great in the pocket and sidesteps his way to buy time. Therefore giving many this illusion of a great OL. Fact is, Brady makes them look better than they are most of the time.

Matt Light is one of the middle of the road LT's in the NFL. He gets his doors blown off by Taylor, Freeney, and Scobee(Buffalo ?) most of the time. Also, he has faced many years with a ton of injuries to that OL. Last year losing his center, LT and RT - all who went to the IR. He had two rookies protecting his left side last year and still led the league in passing.

Remember that guy named Marino? He did the same. Just a slight move to the right, and moving up in that pocket will do wonders for your OL. Brady has that same capability as Marino. It's called Talent!

This is yet another testament to the outstanding task Pioli undertakes in that New England front office.

And remember(I hate to myself), as great as Marino was(and he was great), he won zero Superbowls. You think Tom Brady, not even coming within a close second to Marino's ability(IMO) could have won 3 by himself? I agree though. At times, Brady makes his OLine look a lot more stellar than how they are actually preforming and at other times, it's the other way around.

 

[emocomputerjock]

Truer words were never spoken. I think, more than anything, you need to be strong at QB and strong at HC. Pioli is responsible for half of that equation. And then comes the age old question- Is Belichick Belichick without a Brady?

I've always thought Belichick was an ok coach, but there's no way he's the legend he is without Brady.

 

[FinFaninMS]

i dont know, but maybe Saban might be inclined to offer his old buddy a job coaching the defense down in the warm weather of Miami. just a thought. probably wont happen, because everyone has a price, but interesting none the less.

:sidelol:

Yeah. I'm sure that the guy who's won three Super Bowls in four years and is a stone-cold lock for the Hall of Fame when he retires is going to come down to Miami and work under the guy who hasn't so much as gotten into the playoffs, much less won a championship.

And the truly sad thing is that there are probably people on this site who would argue, with a straight-face, that Saban is the better coach.

 

[IluvJuMiami]

interesting thing here is it looks like Belichick might be on the outs if he doesnt resolve this personal issue.

now granted if he leaves, he'll likely be number one on every teams list for a head coach, but if this 'scandal' gets out of control, he may want to stay a little more out of the spotlight.

i dont know, but maybe Saban might be inclined to offer his old buddy a job coaching the defense down in the warm weather of Miami. just a thought. probably wont happen, because everyone has a price, but interesting none the less.

This is a very surreal scenario but it's not utterly ludacris. IMO, if these headlines actually force Belichick to steer away from the limelight(I don't know why they would- business is business and NFL teams are in the business of securing Superbowls not marriages), I believe he'd retire if only for a short while instead of taking a backseat to some unworthy coach(when it comes to Belichick they are all unworthy). But, if Nick and Bill are as close of friends as I've read they are, who knows? It could be interesting. It's not as if Belichick would commit professional suicide by making such a move. The following year he'd still have carte blanche at any organization in need of a head coach.

 

[IluvJuMiami]

:sidelol:

Yeah. I'm sure that the guy who's won three Super Bowls in four years and is a stone-cold lock for the Hall of Fame when he retires is going to come down to Miami and work under the guy who hasn't so much as gotten into the playoffs, much less won a championship.

And the truly sad thing is that there are probably people on this site who would argue, with a straight-face, that Saban is the better coach.

Then again, Belichick wouldn't have to be running the show to take all the credit. If Belichick were to come to Miami next year and the Dolphins would make the superbowl, would ATH, PTI, SC be voting Nick Saban or Bill Belichick for genius(Hint: not Saban)? And if Miami doesn't as much as reach the playoffs who goes down with the ship(Hint: not Belichick)? Don't misunderstand me, I know how far fetched that scenario really is, but the fact of the matter is that Belichick has become such a hot commodity in this league that he controls his own destiny. You think Belichick would actually hurt his career by making such a choice? He'd still be handed the keys to the franchise of his choosing the following year.

Saban is in NO WAY, SHAPE, or FORM a better head coach than Belichick but I'm proud to have crazed enough fans to make such an argument with a straight face.