11 replies to this topic

[eaglesfan0075]

Much is being made of how the Eagles will almost definitely fire Andy Reid at the end of the season and hire a new HC, but the biggest move that Jeff Lurie will have to make is hiring a new Executive VP of Football Operations since Reid currently holds both positions and it is unlikely that the new coach will be immediately given that much power. Howie Roseman isn't going anywhere for a while since he signed an extension, but chances are that he will be answering to a new administrator next season.

Marc Ross of the Giants is the most popular name mentioned around the boards, and for good reason. His track record, especially with finding value picks in the later rounds, makes him an excellent candidate. However, the fact that he was previously fired by the Eagles staff to make room for Heckert's staff means that he probably isn't interested in coming back to Philly. Ross will likely take a GM job elsewhere if he is looking for one.

However, there are some solid alternative choices out there:

1. Ron Hughes (Steelers College Scouting Coordinator) - The Steelers are well-reputed around the league for their ability to draft and develop players and this is evident in their ability to field competitive teams year in and year out without breaking the bank during free agency season or making splashy trades. Hughes has been with the team since 2003, intially as a draft consulant and now at his current position as coordinator. He also worked with the Lions prior to the Matt Millen era, back when the drafts were not so horrendous.

Potential Hughes HC Choices: Ray Horton (Cardinals DC), Darren Perry (Packers S Coach)

2. Jon Robinson (Patriots Director of College Scouting) - Jeff Lurie's respect for the Patriots organization is well documented, given the fact that he originally wanted to buy the Patriots before Kraft did. Robinson is the current director of college scouting and is a guy who worked his way up the organization starting out as an area scout. Thomas Dimitroff has done well for himself coming from the same position and now serving as the GM for the Falcons, so Robinson could be the next success story to come out of the Patriots front office.

Potential Robinson HC Choices: Matt Patricia (Patriots DC), Pepper Johnson (Patriots LB Coach)

3. Brian Gutekunst (Packers Director of College Scouting) - Gutekunst was promoted to director of college scouting to fill in for John Dorsey who replaced Reggie McKenzie as director of football operations. (Dorsey turned down an opportunity to interview for the Colts GM position, hence the inclusion of Gutekunst here instead) Like Robinson, Gutekunst worked his way up as a scout, with 13 years experience scouting in the southeast and 2 years experience scouting in the east coast. The only downside is as a member of the Packers family, he won't poach from the Packers staff once he leaves.

Potential Gutekunst HC Choices: Just about any up and coming coach outside of the Packers organization, maybe someone like Perry Fewell (Giants DC).

[AceofSpades]

I'd suggested Pepper Johnson as a defensive coordinator possibility in years past. But I'm always skeptical of Belichick assistants who go outside of the Belichick umbrella. More often than not, they don't do too well on their own and at some point may end up needing to go back to Belichick or to the college level to work things out. Matt Patricia is an interesting name though. He played as an offensive lineman in college and I believe he was their DL coach for a few years.

I think if Ross gets an offer that he likes he'll take it. I also think that with Ernie Accorsi running the GM search for the Panthers, there's a good chance he can become an instant frontrunner for that job. I believe they have to go with a new EVP of Football Operations. It's possible we may even see Heckert return in some fashion. Who knows what that could be. I'm honestly expecting a front office shakeup and I'm thinking it's gonna be something that a lot of us didn't see coming.

[eaglesfan0075]

Johnson has been with Belichick for a long time, going back to his playing days so I definitely see where you're getting at. Although a similar thing could be said about Patricia, whose NFL experience has only been with the Patriots, I do agree that he is an interesting name for HC given his experience on both sides of the ball and age (38).

From Wikipedia:

Patricia joined the Patriots as an offensive coaching assistant in 2004. In 2005, upon the departure of assistant offensive line/tight ends coach Jeff Davidson, Patricia was re-assigned as the Patriots' assistant offensive line coach. Then-linebackers coach Dean Pees was promoted to defensive coordinator after the season, promoting another re-assignment for Patricia, this time to linebackers coach for the 2006 season. Patricia was named the team's safeties coach in 2011. In 2012, he received the title of defensive coordinator, despite calling plays on defense since the departure of Pees following the 2009 season.

The one big concern with defensive-minded HC is that they have a tendency to neglect the offense and focus solely on the defense. The nice thing with a guy like Patricia as that he will have a broader perspective and can make contributions on both the offensive and defensive units.

[iRigglesslam!]

AceofSpades, on 23 November 2012 - 04:06 PM, said:

I'd suggested Pepper Johnson as a defensive coordinator possibility in years past. But I'm always skeptical of Belichick assistants who go outside of the Belichick umbrella. More often than not, they don't do too well on their own and at some point may end up needing to go back to Belichick or to the college level to work things out. Matt Patricia is an interesting name though. He played as an offensive lineman in college and I believe he was their DL coach for a few years.

I think if Ross gets an offer that he likes he'll take it. I also think that with Ernie Accorsi running the GM search for the Panthers, there's a good chance he can become an instant frontrunner for that job. I believe they have to go with a new EVP of Football Operations. It's possible we may even see Heckert return in some fashion. Who knows what that could be. I'm honestly expecting a front office shakeup and I'm thinking it's gonna be something that a lot of us didn't see coming.

normally i would agree with you.  i think that trend includes McDaniels, Crennel, Weis.  However, 2 guys have done okay for themselves.  Bill Obrien and also Dean Peas of Baltimore.  while peas has not had a great D it has been hard hitting, althogh somewhat statistically disappointing.  most of that can be attributed to age though with ray lewis ed reed and suggs all getting up there.

[DonCornelious]

eaglesfan0075, on 23 November 2012 - 01:28 PM, said:

Marc Ross of the Giants is the most popular name mentioned around the boards, and for good reason. His track record, especially with finding value picks in the later rounds, makes him an excellent candidate. However, the fact that he was previously fired by the Eagles staff to make room for Heckert's staff means that he probably isn't interested in coming back to Philly. Ross will likely take a GM job elsewhere if he is looking for one.

Is it that much of a given that Ross will not come back?  Banner is gone as well as Heckert, so things have changed some since his firing.  Ross is from Sharon Hill, PA so he might like to come back to the area.  I for one would love to see him back here.

One other name I would like to see considered for VP of FO is Mike Mayock.  He is another guy from the area with a strong knowledge of the league and personnel.

[AceofSpades]

iRigglesslam!, on 23 November 2012 - 11:36 PM, said:

normally i would agree with you.  i think that trend includes McDaniels, Crennel, Weis.  However, 2 guys have done okay for themselves.  Bill Obrien and also Dean Peas of Baltimore.  while peas has not had a great D it has been hard hitting, althogh somewhat statistically disappointing.  most of that can be attributed to age though with ray lewis ed reed and suggs all getting up there.

No doubt about it. I thought a few years ago when he was rumored to be a target of the Eagles, I got excited because he had experience with 2 defenses that traditionally excelled. The Ravens & the Patriots. The Ravens defense has begun to show its age. Generally that franchise as a whole has done a ridiculously good job with the next man up philosophy but for some reason it's just not there this year. Is it because they miss Ray Lewis' presence on the field? Possibly.

But Belichick guys more often than not need to be with him to look good.

DonCornelious, on 24 November 2012 - 01:20 PM, said:

Is it that much of a given that Ross will not come back?  Banner is gone as well as Heckert, so things have changed some since his firing.  Ross is from Sharon Hill, PA so he might like to come back to the area.  I for one would love to see him back here.

One other name I would like to see considered for VP of FO is Mike Mayock.  He is another guy from the area with a strong knowledge of the league and personnel.

Mayock's had offers to join the front office of teams around the league & each time he's rejected any offers to do so as he's doing just fine in broadcasting.

[AceofSpades]

eaglesfan0075, on 23 November 2012 - 06:12 PM, said:

Johnson has been with Belichick for a long time, going back to his playing days so I definitely see where you're getting at. Although a similar thing could be said about Patricia, whose NFL experience has only been with the Patriots, I do agree that he is an interesting name for HC given his experience on both sides of the ball and age (38).

From Wikipedia:

Patricia joined the Patriots as an offensive coaching assistant in 2004. In 2005, upon the departure of assistant offensive line/tight ends coach Jeff Davidson, Patricia was re-assigned as the Patriots' assistant offensive line coach. Then-linebackers coach Dean Pees was promoted to defensive coordinator after the season, promoting another re-assignment for Patricia, this time to linebackers coach for the 2006 season. Patricia was named the team's safeties coach in 2011. In 2012, he received the title of defensive coordinator, despite calling plays on defense since the departure of Pees following the 2009 season.

The one big concern with defensive-minded HC is that they have a tendency to neglect the offense and focus solely on the defense. The nice thing with a guy like Patricia as that he will have a broader perspective and can make contributions on both the offensive and defensive units.

Matt Patricia is definitely an intriguing possibility for the reasons you mentioned. He's got experience on both sides of the ball. The same concerns you have for defensive minded head coaches can be used for offensive minded coaches. Mainly Andy Reid. That's why guys like him hire somebody who can run the defense with no problem. It's what Sean Payton did, it's what Mike McCarthy did. Surely it goes both ways. It wouldn't surprise me and it wouldn't hurt for him to get an interview.

[ShakeThatMonkey]

Please bring back Marc Ross! Do it Lurie

[Butch007]

Tom Gamble with the 49ers would be a great option considering how well the 49ers front office has done while he's been there making significant contribution in personnel for the last 7 years.  Even though Gamble's family history with the Eagles runs deep...back to the dreaded Braman era the younger Gamble's record of personnel evaluation now with the 49ers can't be questioned.

[AceofSpades]

They have to look at the teams that have had great success when it comes to talent evaluation, replacing personnel, and making some big moves. Teams like the Ravens, Giants, 49ers, Packers, Patriots. They've gotta get somebody in here that can truly turn things around.

[BillTheButcher]

andy reid

[AceofSpades]

Quick question, not that I'm endorsing this, would anybody be opposed to Heckert working with Roseman?