ClutchFans - Gary Kubiak AND Al Saunders?

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geeimsobored

01-13-2006, 12:19 AM

Wow so potentially two offensive minded guys on our staff?

Vitt gets his shot at Jets' job
BY KEN BERGER
STAFF WRITER

January 12, 2006

Rams interim coach Joe Vitt interviewed yesterday for the Jets' head-coaching position, leaving in-house candidates Mike Heimerdinger and Mike Westhoff on deck.

Former Vikings coach Mike Tice, Giants defensive coordinator Tim Lewis, and Panthers running backs coach Jim Skipper remain on the Jets' radar.

Vitt, 51, a friend of general manager Terry Bradway, went 4-7 this season after Mike Martz fell ill. If Vitt does not get the job, he could be a candidate for defensive coordinator, hastening the departure of Donnie Henderson, who has interviewed as head coach with the Jets and Saints and is in the mix for the St. Louis vacancy.

Meanwhile, Chiefs offensive coordinator Al Saunders is expected to get a second interview for the Texans' coaching position, but that job is believed to be going to Broncos offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak. If that happens, Saunders could wind up being the Texans' offensive coordinator.

Such a scenario would affect the Jets, because the Broncos then might be interested in luring Heimerdinger to be their offensive coordinator.

This raises a question regarding the coaching staff that Herman Edwards left behind: Are the coaches expected to fulfill their contracts, or should they be free to pursue opportunities that currently are being snapped up by their peers? In his news conference addressing the Edwards situation this week, Bradway said the team expects the coaches to honor their contracts. But one industry expert familiar with the Jets' situation said Edwards' bizarre departure could be viewed as effectively terminating the contracts of the assistant coaches.

"It invalidates coaches' contracts," the person said. "Once the head coach leaves, all bets are off."

If Henderson, Heimerdinger and Westhoff are passed over for the Jets' job, they will be at a severe disadvantage in finding new positions with other teams if the new coach doesn't want to retain them. Just another unforeseen by-product of the team's messy divorce with Edwards.

DieHard Rocket

01-13-2006, 12:39 AM

Link? EDIT: Thanks.

As awesome as it sounds, I don't know if I can fathom both of these guys on the same staff. I think they both need more or less total control of the offense for their style to work. If they could somehow be meshed what a beast of a playbook that would be though.

geeimsobored

01-13-2006, 12:42 AM

Sorry

http://www.newsday.com/sports/printedition/ny-spjets124584688jan12,0,5540852.story?coll=ny-sports-print

EddieWasSnubbed

01-13-2006, 12:47 AM

Imagine Kubiak, Saunders, and Grey, on one staff.

Jared Novak

01-13-2006, 01:47 AM

Imagine Kubiak, Saunders, and Grey, on one staff.

McNair said he wanted the best coach and coaching staff, he may very well be paying top dollar to get some of these guys.

Zacatecas

01-13-2006, 02:31 AM

I'm glad that the Texans are serious about winning games, not just competing. Capers could never fix the offensive line. Casserly is good at getting the players the coach wants; he might not be the best talent evaluator, but he will give the coach every bit of information to make the decision.

Finally there will be some creativity in the offense. And if Bush is going to be drafted, the highlights will be plentiful. Not to mention, Andre Johnson, perennial pro bowler; now that teams will have to concentrate so much more on Reggie Bush!!

Rocket River

01-13-2006, 03:38 AM

Run Oreinted guys
and
they don't need GREAT backs to run
or
do they MAKE them great

Rocket River

RocketFan85

01-13-2006, 04:32 AM

How cool would that be? Both Kubiak and Saunders? Man I hope so. Draft Bush, solidify the OL in the draft or FA and keep Davis. Davis and Bush could both break a 1,000 yards rushing and if Carr ever wakes up, the Texans could have a good offensive team.

stevel

01-13-2006, 06:05 AM

Today's paper has McClain saying Kubiak would be HC and OC. I say bring in Saunders. Could you imagine the chiefs passing attack blended with the Broncos rushing attack :eek:

justtxyank

01-13-2006, 09:28 AM

The problem with them both is they are different coaches. Look what happened in Baltimore when they tried to get offensive minds together in Neuheissel (sp), Fassel and Billick.

I'd much rather Kubiak just bring the O-Line and running backs coach from Denver which it's speculated he could do. Also, Jim Bates will be free to search for a new job soon as well. I'd love him to be our defensive coordinator.

Toast

01-13-2006, 10:44 AM

Today's paper has McClain saying Kubiak would be HC and OC. I say bring in Saunders. Could you imagine the chiefs passing attack blended with the Broncos rushing attack :eek:

Hell, I'm just thinking about the Chief's rushing attack prior to Priest Holmes going down.

Did that team even NEED to throw the football???

If we could do something similar to Priest & Larry Johnson with Domanic Davis and Reggie Bush, then hmm, maybe I'm in the Reggie Bush camp after all!

The Real Shady

01-13-2006, 10:47 AM

http://www.vwenthusiast.com/yabbse/attachments/homer-drool.gif

Drool.

That would be an awesome coaching staff, and it would make me want the Texans to take Reggie Bush moreso then VY. With that staff and Bush we would be ready to compete for the playoffs next year.

MadMax

01-13-2006, 11:22 AM

justtxyank

01-13-2006, 11:24 AM

except the broncos running modus operandi has been to pass up on drafting a RB with a first round pick....they've had all that success ont the groud while not burning 1st rounders.

the highest picked running back by the broncos lately...portis...yeah, they traded him after his second season. mike anderson, reuben droughns, even terrell davis. none of them required spending a first round pick.

I'm not sure the Broncos have ever been in a position to draft a top running back though considering their winning ways. I highly doubt they'd pass on Barry Sanders if they had the chance.

MadMax

01-13-2006, 11:30 AM

I'm not sure the Broncos have ever been in a position to draft a top running back though considering their winning ways. I highly doubt they'd pass on Barry Sanders if they had the chance.

yeah...but i'm not just talking about the top of the draft...i'm saying they get guys in the later rounds.

The Real Shady

01-13-2006, 11:30 AM

ESPN Insider is saying that the Raiders are possibly close to signing Al Saunders as their HC. Oh well, I don't think that Kubiak would really need any help on the offensive side of the ball anyway.

Now we need to bring in Jerry Grey as DC.

justtxyank

01-13-2006, 12:23 PM

yeah...but i'm not just talking about the top of the draft...i'm saying they get guys in the later rounds.

True. But I think that more to do with them knowing the kind of guy that will do well in their system that other teams undervalue.

MadMax

01-13-2006, 12:29 PM

True. But I think that more to do with them knowing the kind of guy that will do well in their system that other teams undervalue.

right..and i'm assuming that system will be exported to Houston soon.

DaDakota

01-13-2006, 12:32 PM

right..and i'm assuming that system will be exported to Houston soon.

GO PATRIOTS !!

:)

justtxyank

01-13-2006, 01:10 PM

right..and i'm assuming that system will be exported to Houston soon.

Sure. But I think that if they had the opportunity to draft a guy like a Barry Sanders or a Marshall Faulk to put into their system they would have jumped at the opportunity.

I'm really just saying that we don't know if Kubiak wants to use a 1st round pick on Bush if he thinks he's special or not. Although the article in the Chronicle said EVERY coach interviewed said take Bush over Carr.

MadMax

01-13-2006, 03:53 PM

Chronicle said EVERY coach interviewed said take Bush over Carr.

i'd take Bush over CARR, too. :)

Baqui99

01-13-2006, 04:18 PM

i'd take Bush over CARR, too. :)

I don't know. While Bush's passing skills aren't quite as good as Carr's, he'd be more adept at avoiding the pass rush. Behind our O-line that's a good thing. :)

Hakeem06

01-13-2006, 07:54 PM

i'm just glad that houston is giving kubiak the job. he's been very deserving for a long time now. the aggies were stupid not to hire him over fran.

justtxyank

01-13-2006, 08:12 PM

i'd take Bush over CARR, too. :)

:D

My mistake

jtotheb

01-19-2006, 10:52 AM

Looks like we lost what would have been a GREAT choice for the new Defensive Coordinator.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2298111

RocketMan Tex

01-19-2006, 11:06 AM

Looks like we lost what would have been a GREAT choice for the new Defensive Coordinator.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2298111

Jerry Gray is still available

justtxyank

01-19-2006, 11:16 AM

Jerry Gray is still available

So is a proven great d coordinator: Jim Bates.

swilkins

01-19-2006, 12:03 PM

except the broncos running modus operandi has been to pass up on drafting a RB with a first round pick....they've had all that success ont the groud while not burning 1st rounders.

the highest picked running back by the broncos lately...portis...yeah, they traded him after his second season. mike anderson, reuben droughns, even terrell davis. none of them required spending a first round pick.

They haven't had a top ten pick for almost 15 years. I think if they had the opportunity to pick up a guy like Bush, they would have jumped all over it. I give props to Denver in player development and drafting on necessity.

MadMax

01-19-2006, 12:08 PM

They haven't had a top ten pick for almost 15 years. I think if they had the opportunity to pick up a guy like Bush, they would have jumped all over it. I give props to Denver in player development and drafting on necessity.

but it's not like they haven't passed up on good, first round running backs during that period of time. they've gotten steals late...and kubiak has seen it can be done. hell, casserly was even able to get a steal at that position with davis.

swilkins

01-19-2006, 12:24 PM

but it's not like they haven't passed up on good, first round running backs during that period of time. they've gotten steals late...and kubiak has seen it can be done. hell, casserly was even able to get a steal at that position with davis.

Again. I give credit to Denver for drafting smart and developing their players more than anything.

DaDakota

01-19-2006, 12:29 PM

Again. I give credit to Denver for drafting smart and developing their players more than anything.

Sometimes players develop because they are coached well....Mike Shanahan is a good coach...

Dom Capers, well he is a guy.....I think.

jtotheb

01-19-2006, 12:40 PM

Jerry Gray is still available

Good point...that would be a great hire.

Al Saunders just got snatched up by the Redskins. Who else is avalable out there?

msn

01-19-2006, 01:01 PM

Al Saunders just got snatched up by the Redskins. Who else is avalable out there?
So is a proven great d coordinator: Jim Bates.
:) :) :)

nWo34Life

01-19-2006, 01:07 PM

Good point...that would be a great hire.

Al Saunders just got snatched up by the Redskins. Who else is avalable out there?

link?

Stevierebel

01-19-2006, 01:19 PM

link?

It's being reported by John Clayton on the bottomline for ESPN. Which means someone else announced it and ESPN tagged the news with one of their experts to make it seem like they were the first ones with the scoop.

rocketlaunch

01-19-2006, 01:21 PM

link?

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2298365

ok dan snyder has to be pissing other owners off.. he just gave him 2 million a year.. with this and gregg williams thats really bringing all coaches price tags up from assistants to head coaches

Desert Scar

01-19-2006, 01:38 PM

....I highly doubt they'd pass on Barry Sanders if they had the chance.

Too bad Barry Sanders isn't in the draft.

They haven't had a top ten pick for almost 15 years. I think if they had the opportunity to pick up a guy like Bush, they would have jumped all over it. I give props to Denver in player development and drafting on necessity.

The Broncos did trade their best RB since Davis (consistent 1000 yard speed/quickness HB in Clinton Portis--who is a much more reasonable comparison to Bush than one Barry Sanders) for an elite corner, which reveals a lot about which they think is harder to find.

swilkins

01-19-2006, 01:52 PM

The Broncos did trade their best RB since Davis (consistent 1000 yard speed/quickness HB in Clinton Portis--who is a much more reasonable comparison to Bush than one Barry Sanders) for an elite corner, which reveals a lot about which they think is harder to find.

I think most would agree that productive RB's are easier to find shutdown CB's.

MadMax

01-19-2006, 01:59 PM

Too bad Barry Sanders isn't in the draft.

.

how come i didn't think of that response?? :)

DieHard Rocket

01-19-2006, 03:57 PM

I think the Redskins might rack up some wins next year...all year I've felt they had the tools on offense and defense, but the offense wasn't really clicking. Saunders may be the best OC in the game...he'll do the same thing with Brunell as he did with Trent Green in KC as far as putting up numbers. Portis and Betts is a great combination at HB, and they have 3 solid WR's.

Watch out for that team next year...

jtotheb

01-19-2006, 08:20 PM

:) :) :)

And? :cool:

Preston27

01-19-2006, 08:21 PM

jopatmc

01-20-2006, 12:49 AM

Mike Martz is a great OC. But he's a horrible head coach because he has the personality off a camel and he doesn't know how to manage a game. All he knows how to do is design offensive schemes that beat the defense. That is why Martz succeeded coaching under a player's coach like Dick Vermeil and why he failed miserably as the lead man in charge of the greatest show on turf.

Jackfruit

01-20-2006, 01:32 AM

Al Saunders just got snatched up by the Redskins. Who else is avalable out there?

The fact that Saunders got picked up by the Redskins proves that sportswriters know no more than everyday fans. Here in San Francisco, all the talk has been how Al Saunders would becomes Al Davis' latest puppet across the Bay. Ray Ratto wrote a huge article on it in the SF Chronicle yesterday.

Dubious

01-20-2006, 06:36 AM

I don't know anything more than what I read in the newspapers but the after McClains week in Denver talking to everyone in the Broncos organization I got the impression that Kubiak was bringing Bronco's offensive line coach Rick Dennison with him as the Texans titular OC. That would be just fine with me since Kubes is going to be the acting OC anyway and Dennison's offfensive lines have been the strenght of the Broncos for years.

Apparently there is some other young gun on the Broncos staff that Shanahan feels confortable with to move up to Dennison's spot.

I certainly wouldn't be surprised to see Jerry Grey as the DC since he is out at Buffalo and the year before last he had them ranked near the top, It may warrant some investigation on just why they fell to suckage this year though.

Groogrux

01-20-2006, 07:43 AM

I don't know anything more than what I read in the newspapers but the after McClains week in Denver talking to everyone in the Broncos organization I got the impression that Kubiak was bringing Bronco's offensive line coach Rick Dennison with him as the Texans titular OC.

Yeah, they were talking about that on 610. They pointed to the Kansas City game where the announcers were basically making fun of our blocking scheme, not the talent on the offensive line. If that's true, I'm very excited to see what Dennison/Kubiak can do to help protect our QB more, not to mention they're already a decent run-blocking line.

Uprising

01-22-2006, 05:13 PM

HOUSTON YOU HAVE A NEW HEAD COACH!!!!

Denver just got blown out. WHOOHOOOO!

http://www.moviecitygeek.com/dvd/images/lion_timon.jpg
*It Starts*

NewRoxFan

01-22-2006, 05:16 PM

Equally, if not more important, the texans can now start making offers to assistant coachs (Gray as DC?).