Early Thoughts on Other Candidates

Based on the many comments of players he has coached, Marrone sounds scary.  Did he really make a big deal out of players not wearing regulation socks at practice?

The consensus among any player who said anything describes Frank Burns (MASH).

You know one reason Joe Thomas is waiting to see who they hire before he decides whether or not he leaves?  He knows that some coaches don't give old battered veterans time off during the week.  If Marrone comes, Joe goes.

He's got a respectable record.  He has a good football mind.  He felt his players quit on him.  

His players felt they were worn out, and hated their lives.  Two of them said everybody cheered when they heard he was leaving.

Ever work for somebody like that?  Great motivation, right?

Of course, he might change.  We learn from our mistakes.  But how can we know? 

And he sounds like another blockhead.

Jerome Henderson I couldn't take seriously at first because of his background.  There's no question that he's an outstanding position coach, but he's never been a coordinator, or even coached other positions.

Then I saw that as a player he went to two Super Bowls and played for Bill Parcells and Marv Levy.  He also spent his first two management years in player development.

There have to be reasons that not just the Browns, but other teams, like this apparently underqualified guy.

The first thought that popped into my head was Mike Tomlin.  Was he even a coordinator?  I'd never heard of the guy before he was the Steelers Head Coach.  He was a defensive back too.

Being a former player does give one an advantage.  None of the other candidates I know of (could be wrong) ever played in the NFL, and it makes sense that an ex-player gets extra credit, so to speak.

Doug Dieken once again talked about head coaching experience being important, but I respectfully disagree.  Doug referred to the many hats you have to wear...but once again, why is it important to have a guy that's done it badly before instead of a new guy?

The Browns' gig will be easier than many, because Haslam has already installed a support staff, leaving only the personnel position open.  

Jerome Henderson must have impressed a lot of people, and I have to repeat that it's great that he was himself coached by two great ones.  If Henderson wants to do it like Bill Parcells did it, he's half way there in my book.

Terryl Austin sounds interesting, and sure coached for some good ones himself.  He was a college coach briefly, and worked his way up the ladder.  Detroit's defense this season shouldn't even count because he lost his best talent from 2014.  So he sounds ok to me also.

So far Marrone is the only guy I don't like.

Normally, we know what that means, but if he's a blockhead like I think he is, he won't want this job.

Cool.