- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,151,159
- Reaction score
- 59
No one's perfect. Hopefully, we've all learned that by now. If not, don't worry. Your turn will come. Why does this matter? Simply put, the Philadelphia Eagles' offensive coordinator search is void of perfect candidates.
Since Kevin Patullo's dismissal, it feels like each one we liked never ventured into any area where we liked them that much. It was of no consequence. None of the best options wanted to be in Philadelphia anyway.
Think about it. Mike McDaniel was slaughtered by the media while in Miami. Did you really think he was going to make his way to Philadelphia after that? Rather than debate it, we'll self-soothe by believing something else.
His wife is from California, and he preferred a warm-weather city. Yeah, that's it. That's why Mike McDaniel said no. Give us a minute. We'll eventually come up with logical explanations for everyone else who decided they'd rather pursue other opportunities.
Here's what you missed if you took the weekend off, played in some snow, or watched the Championship Games. The Eagles explored the Arthur Smith idea, but he decided to take his talents to Ohio State. So, instead, Philadelphia requested an interview with McDaniel's former OC, Mike Smith. Shortly thereafter, they also requested to interview Jerrod Johnson.
Two more candidates, Charlie Weis Jr. and Declan Doyle, removed their names from consideration. The other top remaining choices are Jim Bob Cooter, Matt Nagy, Mike Kafka, and Josh Grizzard.
Hey, don't blame us! We warned you that there were no perfect people or, in this case, offensive coordinators. These guys aren't necessarily train wrecks either, though. Here are the biggest strengths and clearest weaknesses of the top guys who have reportedly found their way onto the Eagles' short list.
Frank Smith's work in Miami doesn't align with the play-calling aesthetic the Eagles are searching for, but he and Mike McDaniel did work with the Dolphins' offense.
He understands motion, spacing, explosive design, and RPO concepts, but will the timing-based scheme we saw with him blend with McDaniel and Tua Tagovailoa work with Jalen Hurts, someone who holds on to the ball longer than most and is clearly scared to make a mistake?
In some ways, Mike Kafka seems tailor-made for a signal-caller like Jalen Hurts. Daniel Jones seemed his most effective while working with Kafka in 2022, but in 2023, the consensus shifted. There was a largely negative view of Jones in 2023.
Kafka receives passing grades for his work while with Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes, but that's Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes. It's kind of hard to struggle there.
The most recent tangible evidence we have of Mike Kafka's work came last season. He did a wonderful job with then-rookie Jaxson Dart. The problem here is we don't have an experienced play caller, and it's hard to judge him on an injury-riddled New York Giants run as interim head coach last season.
This is probably the best 'fix it now' hire among everyone mentioned. Brian Daboll is the best answer to the Eagles' most pressing offensive problems. There are, however, questions.
One, is he invested in coaching in Philadelphia? While you mull that over, ask yourself something else. Can we take simultaneous meltdowns from Nick Sirianni, A.J. Brown, and the offensive coordinator?
James Robert Cooter checks most of the important coaching boxes. He knows what he is doing, and after the nightmare that was this most recent Eagles season, you have no idea how nice it is to say something like that.
Cooter seems to have a lower ceiling and a moderate floor. He checks the experience box, but can we think of two or three examples of him making his quarterback better? Is this the answer to the pleas for innovation?
Jerrod Johnson is easy to fall in love with. Players and fans will like him as he's something of a quarterback whisperer, but he has no OC experience. Correct us if we're wrong, but isn't that part of the reason why Kevin Patullo is gone?
Here's an interesting projection. Grizzard has gained buzz for owning a rising offensive mind, but this hire would be based more on potential than proof. Jalen Hurts doesn't need another experiment with upside. He needs a guy who already knows what he is doing.
Matt Nagy, like Brian Daboll, represents experience and wisdom. Unlike Daboll, he may actually want to be in Philadelphia.
He has seen everything. Highs, Lows, Success, Failure. He's a stabilizing presence who can win over a locker room, offense, and staff, but will he adjust to Jalen Hurts, or will he ask Jalen Hurts to adapt to him?
Nagy wants another head-coaching job. Per Mike Garafolo, that's why he didn't return to the Kansas City Chiefs as their offensive coordinator. That said, expect his evacuation if he is hired, the team performs well, and another organization comes calling.
Again, if you seek perfection, this isn't the hiring cycle to find some. Frankly, we don't know why the Eagles won't bank on someone like Frank Reich or Jim Caldwell. Give us an old guy!
At the end of the day, the Eagles won't find someone who will make everyone happy on this list. There is still hope, though. They might just, at minimum, find someone good enough to keep the media and fans from tearing their hair out.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Best traits and biggest flaws of the Eagles’ top remaining OC targets
Continue reading...
Since Kevin Patullo's dismissal, it feels like each one we liked never ventured into any area where we liked them that much. It was of no consequence. None of the best options wanted to be in Philadelphia anyway.
Think about it. Mike McDaniel was slaughtered by the media while in Miami. Did you really think he was going to make his way to Philadelphia after that? Rather than debate it, we'll self-soothe by believing something else.
His wife is from California, and he preferred a warm-weather city. Yeah, that's it. That's why Mike McDaniel said no. Give us a minute. We'll eventually come up with logical explanations for everyone else who decided they'd rather pursue other opportunities.
Here's what you missed if you took the weekend off, played in some snow, or watched the Championship Games. The Eagles explored the Arthur Smith idea, but he decided to take his talents to Ohio State. So, instead, Philadelphia requested an interview with McDaniel's former OC, Mike Smith. Shortly thereafter, they also requested to interview Jerrod Johnson.
Two more candidates, Charlie Weis Jr. and Declan Doyle, removed their names from consideration. The other top remaining choices are Jim Bob Cooter, Matt Nagy, Mike Kafka, and Josh Grizzard.
Hey, don't blame us! We warned you that there were no perfect people or, in this case, offensive coordinators. These guys aren't necessarily train wrecks either, though. Here are the biggest strengths and clearest weaknesses of the top guys who have reportedly found their way onto the Eagles' short list.
Frank Smith
Top strengths: Creativity and evidence of flexibility
Biggest weakness: Little evidence of QB-centric offensive tailoring
Frank Smith's work in Miami doesn't align with the play-calling aesthetic the Eagles are searching for, but he and Mike McDaniel did work with the Dolphins' offense.
He understands motion, spacing, explosive design, and RPO concepts, but will the timing-based scheme we saw with him blend with McDaniel and Tua Tagovailoa work with Jalen Hurts, someone who holds on to the ball longer than most and is clearly scared to make a mistake?
Mike Kafka
Top strengths: QB empathy and experience with mobile quarterbacks
Biggest weakness: Hasn't called plays at the highest level long enough.
In some ways, Mike Kafka seems tailor-made for a signal-caller like Jalen Hurts. Daniel Jones seemed his most effective while working with Kafka in 2022, but in 2023, the consensus shifted. There was a largely negative view of Jones in 2023.
Kafka receives passing grades for his work while with Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes, but that's Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes. It's kind of hard to struggle there.
The most recent tangible evidence we have of Mike Kafka's work came last season. He did a wonderful job with then-rookie Jaxson Dart. The problem here is we don't have an experienced play caller, and it's hard to judge him on an injury-riddled New York Giants run as interim head coach last season.
Brian Daboll
Top strengths: Brings authority, credibility, and accountability
Biggest weakness: Big personality that could ultimately clash with Nick Sirianni
This is probably the best 'fix it now' hire among everyone mentioned. Brian Daboll is the best answer to the Eagles' most pressing offensive problems. There are, however, questions.
One, is he invested in coaching in Philadelphia? While you mull that over, ask yourself something else. Can we take simultaneous meltdowns from Nick Sirianni, A.J. Brown, and the offensive coordinator?
Jim Bob Cooter
Top strengths: Safe and won't embarrass the Eagles schematically
Biggest weakness: Doesn't elevate quarterbacks, no consistent evidence of innovation
James Robert Cooter checks most of the important coaching boxes. He knows what he is doing, and after the nightmare that was this most recent Eagles season, you have no idea how nice it is to say something like that.
Cooter seems to have a lower ceiling and a moderate floor. He checks the experience box, but can we think of two or three examples of him making his quarterback better? Is this the answer to the pleas for innovation?
Jerrod Johnson
Top strengths: Great rapport with QBs, great teacher
Biggest weakness: Inexperience at the OC level
Jerrod Johnson is easy to fall in love with. Players and fans will like him as he's something of a quarterback whisperer, but he has no OC experience. Correct us if we're wrong, but isn't that part of the reason why Kevin Patullo is gone?
Josh Grizzard
Top strengths: Modern ideas and upside
Biggest weakness: More of a developmental idea than a finished product
Here's an interesting projection. Grizzard has gained buzz for owning a rising offensive mind, but this hire would be based more on potential than proof. Jalen Hurts doesn't need another experiment with upside. He needs a guy who already knows what he is doing.
Matt Nagy
Top strengths: Experienced play caller and situational awareness
Biggest weakness: Damaged reputation and history of QB friction
Matt Nagy, like Brian Daboll, represents experience and wisdom. Unlike Daboll, he may actually want to be in Philadelphia.
He has seen everything. Highs, Lows, Success, Failure. He's a stabilizing presence who can win over a locker room, offense, and staff, but will he adjust to Jalen Hurts, or will he ask Jalen Hurts to adapt to him?
Nagy wants another head-coaching job. Per Mike Garafolo, that's why he didn't return to the Kansas City Chiefs as their offensive coordinator. That said, expect his evacuation if he is hired, the team performs well, and another organization comes calling.
Random thoughts
Again, if you seek perfection, this isn't the hiring cycle to find some. Frankly, we don't know why the Eagles won't bank on someone like Frank Reich or Jim Caldwell. Give us an old guy!
At the end of the day, the Eagles won't find someone who will make everyone happy on this list. There is still hope, though. They might just, at minimum, find someone good enough to keep the media and fans from tearing their hair out.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Best traits and biggest flaws of the Eagles’ top remaining OC targets
Continue reading...
