A Step in the Right Direction by Lake Lewis

As a sports journalist I have had to take on the -not said oath- of not showing bias towards or leading on whom my favorite teams are.  Well if you have followed my radio show you will know that I am a Nittany Lion and Hoya (My Alma Mater’s) and a huge Washington Redskin fan (my hometown is DC).  Today I awoke to the sobering news of the untimely and unfortunate passing of Cincinnati Bengal Chris Henry.  The story surrounding his death is yet again another bad situation turned public.  The young man should be remembered as a testament that you can not judge a book by its cover.  I have one question regarding his death?  WHY IS THE MEDIA becoming the Supreme Court in our country?  For all intensive purposes Chris Henry had turned his life around and was becoming a sound man.  The media never focused on that aspect of his life until he was gone.  This seems so eerily similar to the passing of the late Sean Taylor of the Washington Redskins.  He was another victim of bad media scrutiny that would not uncover his better side until he was murdered.  Can we start to tell the stories of good faith and great deeds by athletes instead of tearing them down for any mistakes that are made?  Wake up my media brethren, its time to look at ourselves in the mirror.

The other news story that broke today in the DC area was that Vinnie Cerrato had resigned as the Executive Vice President of Football Operations for the Washington Redskins.  In other words, the de facto General Manager without General Manager credentials would not hold my beloved Redskins hostage any longer.  Sure Cerrato had drafted such players as TE Chris Cooley, S Sean Taylor, QB Jason Campbell and last years seemingly talented TE Fred Davis, and WR Devon Thomas and this year’s rookie sensation and future all-pro LB/DE Brian Orakpo.  But, he also helped orchestrait the acquisitions of high priced free agent busts such as WR Brandon Lloyd, S Adam Archuleta, DE Jason Taylor (trade with the Dolphins), and here is a name from the past RB Trung Canidate (trade with Rams).  He also had a pension for losing valuable draft picks and Redskins players such as S Ryan Clark (Pittsburgh), and LB Antonio Pierce (Giants).  There is another player that tells the story of how dysfunctional Cerrato’s regime was for me.  Jeremy Bridges who right now is playing really good football for the Arizona Cardinals at left tackle was a player who the Redskins decided to cut as one of their final pre-season moves.  If you have watched the Redskins over the past few years it is well documented that their offensive line albeit individually talented, has been on the decline with season ending injuries happening yearly.  Pro Bowlers Chris Samuels and Randy Thomas have had their seasons cut short the past two seasons so releasing an adequate replacement made no sense to me when Cerrato kept former first round bust Mike Williams who had been out of football for 4 years.

Placing all of the blame on Cerratto would be irresponsible of me so the Redskins Owner Daniel Snyder needs to eat some crow as well.  He has resisted for whatever reasons the idea of running this once proud franchise the way it was built by having an owner who is lavish and will spend money (Jack Kent Cook), a competent GM (Bobby Betherd and Charlie Casserly), and a coach whom patience would be needed to implement their own system (Joe Gibbs).  The hiring of Bruce Allen today is a great move for the Redskins in that it signals change that is more the blue print for all of the NFL’s successful franchises. They all have a “real” GM who can take the pressure off of the head coach and can draft with a vision of the future.  Not a quick fix that was always the approach of Cerrato.

Already the questions being asked are;

Is Bruce Allen going to bring in current ESPN Monday Night Football Analyst and former Super Bowl winning coach John Gruden?

Is he going to possibly look at former Bronco mastermind Mike Shanahan?

Or, maybe bring in a young gem in the making?

What is he going to do with current lame duck coach Jim Zorn?

Will he keep fan-boy punching bag quarterback Jason Campbell?

Will he get rid of high priced running back Clinton Portis?

Can Sherman Lewis keep his job and continue to draft up the offensive playbook?

Can Allen himself prove that he can run an organization because he has some critics who are quick to admonish that he won with Tony Dungy’s players in Tampa?

To me he could bring in Santa Clause –  Uh Oh, I have not even started Christmas shopping – to coach and play and to me it would not matter at this point because for once WE are  having a reasonable conversation about the future moves of the Redskins with a view of the future in sight.

Speaking of the future, I know what will be must see TV! That would be Monday night when John Gruden and Monday Night Football come to town for the Redskins/Giants game. Actually they come in on Friday for pre-game production so can you believe what the air will feel like when Gruden has to interview Jim Zorn?  Wow can you say chilly.  Maybe my former ESPN Radio colleague Mike Tirico or Jaws Jaworski will at some point in the game ask Gruden “so what do you think of your team?”  I know what I think!

HALE TO MY THE REDSKINS.

Lake Lewis is the President and CEO of the Sports Journey Broadcast Network.  He was a host on ESPN Radio 1060 Orlando, ESPN Radio 1080 Melbourne and the Drive Time host ESPN Radio 1240 Maryland and WMET 1160 in Washington DC

Black Monday will be coming soon for NFL head coaches on the Hot Seat by Lloyd Vance

On the “Hot Seat” NFL head coaches like Carolina’s John Fox better not pick up the phone on “Black Monday”

Mark the date of Monday January 4^th down on your calendars.  That date happens to be “Black Monday” around the NFL as many teams will probably pull the plug on their embattled head coaches, front office types, and assistant coaches on the Monday after Week 17.     

I am not sure if the number of new coaches this offseason will reach the 11 new head coaches for the 2009 season, but I am estimating that there could be at least five head coaching changes on the way.  Of course one change will probably be for the Buffalo Bills who currently have “interim” head coach Perry Fewell running the team after firing Dick Jauron in November.

Head Coaches on the Hot Seat include: 

Jim Zorn, Washington Redskins – The former Seattle Seahawks quarterback has been stoic throughout the 2009 season even though he has been basically “Dead Man Walking” for the majority of it.  Zorn was stripped of his play-calling duties in October – given to veteran NFL assistant coach Sherman Lewis – and it was apparent from that point on that petulant owner Daniel Snyder would soon be looking in a new direction.  Though the Redskins (4-9 through 13 games this season) have played tougher in November and December, they still will be remembered for making winners out of formerly winless 2009 teams the Kansas City Chiefs, Carolina Panthers, and Detroit Lions.   Zorn’s overall head coaching record stands at 12-17 and the Redskins since starting 6-2 in 2008 have a record of 6-15 in their last 21 games.  Expect Snyder, who is known for spending money on his team — signed prize free agent DT Albert Haynesworth to 7 year, $100 Million Contract w/ $41 Million guarantee and CB DeAngelo Hall to a six year, $55 million deal ($23 million guaranteed) – to go after a big name former head coach (see Mike Shanahan, Bill Cowher, or someone else) to come in and run his team.  I wonder if Snyder does bring in a new “football man” to run things, what will happened with his loyal minion Vinny Cerato.

Lovie Smith, Chicago Bears — Now that the Bears have their franchise quarterback (Jay Cutler), everything was supposed to be perfect in 2009…wrong.  Another underachieving season (record of 5-8 through 13 games) and Super Bowl XLI seems like a distant memory.  The only thing that could keep Smith around is that he is due around $11M dollars next year.  If Smith is allowed to return by GM Jerry Angelo, then some big changes are coming to his coaching staff.

Eric Mangini, Cleveland Browns – Last week’s big win over the Steelers aside, “Man-genius” has been a disaster in his first season in Cleveland.  From players complaining about “Voluntarily” having to take a bus ride to his summer camp to some veterans overall disinterest, what could go wrong has gone wrong for two-win 2009 Browns.  To make matters worse, the Browns are looking for a new GM/football czar to replace Mangini’s former handpicked GM George Kokonis.

Gary Kubiak, Houston Texans – At a record of (6-7) with only 3 games left, it is looking more likely that the Texans are headed for their 3^rd straight (8-8) finish.  After 4 years in Houston, Kubiak was expected to deliver a playoff team to the former 2002 expansion franchise.  Unfortunately the Texans have been inconsistent once again and several players on their roster have missed long stretches of time with injuries.  With GM Rick Smith looking to be around for another year given the young talent that he has assembled, expect Kubiak to be the “Fall Guy” in Houston.

John Fox, Carolina Panthers – After a great year in 2008, you knew 2009 would be a tough one for the Panthers – Carolina in 15 years in the league has never posted back-to-back winning seasons.  The Panthers are (5-8) with 3 games to go and their roster looks like a MASH unit.  Fox will need to answer to owner Jerry Richardson about what has gone wrong with quarterback Jake Delhomme and a defense that is not producing big plays any longer.  After eight seasons in Charlotte and the team’s Super Bowl appearance long gone (2003), expect the Panthers to move along without Fox.  Did I also mention that former Steelers’ Super Bowl winning head coach Bill Cowher already has established roots in the Carolina area?

Raheem Morris, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – It has only been one year for one of the NFL’s youngest head coaches (33), but some people around the league are already saying that Morris maybe in over his head.  Morris fired his former offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski before the 2009 season even started and recently he stripped defensive coordinator Jim Bates of his role, so there is no one else to blame for the Bucs problems.  The Bucs currently have a record of (1-12) and they could possibly not win a game in their remaining 3 games (@SEA, @NO, and ATL).  With the Glazer family looking to get back to the success of the Tony Dungy era, they could be looking in a new direction after the season.

Other head coaches potentially on the Hot Seat:  Dallas Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips (Not known for being the sternest coach with players. And owner Jerry Jones wants to not only make the playoffs, but he also wants to “win” a playoff game for the time since ’96); Oakland Raiders head coach Tom Cable (Off the field troubles and he works for Al Davis…enough said); and Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio (It could be a playoff win or bust after 7 years in Jacksonville);

NFL Head Coaching Candidates

Mike Shanahan — former two-time Super Bowl winner with Denver Broncos

Bill Cowher — Current CBS Analyst and former Steelers’ Super Bowl XL winner

Brian Billick — Current FOX Analyst former Baltimore Ravens Super Bowl winner

Jon Gruden — Current ESPN analyst (signed an extension) and former Bucs’ Super Bowl winner

Marty Schottenheimer — Former head coach in Cleveland, Kansas City, Washington, and San Diego

Jim Haslett –former Saints head coach and UFL head coach

Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer

New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams

Miami Dolphins DB’s Coach Todd Bowles

Minnesota Vikings Defensive Coordinator Leslie Frazier

Washington Redskins Secondary Coach Jerry Gray

Jets Offensive Coordinator Brian Schottenheimer

Baltimore Ravens Defensive Coordinator Hue Jackson

St. Louis Rams offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur

Montreal Alouettes (CFL) head coach Marc Trestman

Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett

Panthers Asst. head coach and RB’s coach Jim Skipper (former head coach of the SF Demon – XFL)

Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Mike Nolan

Mike Martz — Former Rams head coach and NFL Network Analyst

UFL Coaches:  Jim Fassel (won UFL’s 1^st championship), Dennis Green, and Ted Cotrell

Minnesota Vikings RB’s Coach Eric Bienemy

Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey

New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator Pete Charmichael

Arizona Cardinals assistant head coach/offensive line coach Russ Grimm

Miami Dolphins WR’s Coach Karl Dorrell

San Diego Chargers defensive coordinator Ron Rivera

San Diego Chargers Assistant head coach Rob Chudzinski

Mike Heimerdinger, Titans offensive coordinator

USC head coach Pete Carroll

New Mexico State head coach DeWayne Walker

Iowa head coach Kirk Firentz – former Belichick disciple

Lloyd Vance is a Sr. NFL Writer for Taking It to the House and an award -winning member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA)