Taking Control

There was a time when it appeared the Seattle Seahawks were sneaking into the top spot in the NFC West. The San Francisco 49ers were in the midst of a 3-game losing streak heading into their bye week. Yet, Seattle didn’t take advantage of this opportunity even though they were ahead of the Niners by win percentage at that time. Their first matchup came on Thanksgiving Day and it wasn’t close. The 49ers ran over Seattle on both sides and it became apparent who was ready to play from the start. Seattle still has a chance to get a playoff spot with the weak NFC the way it is. For now though, the Niners have taken control of the NFC West.

Just Call A Timeout Coach

I don’t act like I am or would ever be a better coach than those that are currently working for the 32 NFL teams. But every time that I’m watching the Los Angeles Chargers play in a prime time slot with Brandon Staley as their head coach, I start to think that even I could do better. Case in point; On their final possession of the game being down by 10 to Baltimore. Less than 2 minutes left in the game. The Chargers are near midfield and only have one timeout left. It’s 4th and 19. QB Justin Herbert is in the shotgun formation with nobody in the backfield with him. The Ravens are showing an all-out blitz and yes, the possibility is that it’s a bluff. I’ve watched too much football to think they are bluffing in this instance. I’m saying out loud, “call a timeout.” Sure enough the ball is snapped and Baltimore is blitzing and no one is there to pickup the edge rusher who has a free shot at Herbert. He rushes his throw, it falls incomplete. That’s how the Chargers end another game that they could have easily won during many other opportunities earlier. I get that it was your final timeout, but as a defensive minded coach in Brandon Staley, who is calling your teams plays on defense, shouldn’t you have seen that the Ravens were going to have a free rusher going after your quarterback? I’d call the damn timeout and give my offense a chance to reset and get it right. Or am I just off my rocker for even having the thought?

Back To Back Dismissals

If Frank Reich is going to continue coaching in the NFL, it’ll be as an offensive coordinator or a quarterbacks coach. I don’t believe he will get another chance to be a head coach at this level. Not after the way it ended for him in Carolina. I do not believe that their first round pick, QB Bryce Young is or will be considered a bust. It’s far too early to even think about that and the fact that the Panthers have hardly any top tier position players and the offensive line took two gigantic steps. The defense has looked good at times, but if the offense can’t put points on the board, it will get ugly fast. Add in the fact that the Houston Texans took QB C.J. Stroud right after the Panthers took Young and Houston is right in the thick of the playoff race in the AFC. Carolina meanwhile is in the cellar in the NFC. Not to mention their first round pick is going to Chicago because of their trade last year to get the number one pick from Chicago. Owner David Tepper clearly has a quick trigger and he needs to get it right with his next head coaching hire. Regardless of whether it’s true that Reich wanted Stroud instead of Young, the Panthers have Young as their quarterback and they need to make it work. Fix the offensive line, get better backs and receivers and hire a coach that can bring it all together.