FELDY: Phersy, I've turned Matt Cassel into an All-Pro and worked the Vikings into a tough-as-nails 3-4 defense on my XBox. Oh, and I've watched a bunch of YouTube videos of Jerry Burns press conferences, so I know how to curse out every guy on the roster, yet remain loveable. That makes me about as qualified to be the team's next coach as some of the names being tossed around, right?
PHERSY:Hiring you would be like hiring Tim Brewster to run a Division I college football program. Nobody would do that, right? With Rick Spielman still in place, does it really matter who's "running" the team? Firing Leslie Frazier without also eliminating Spielman stinks of a team still not willing to fully admit there's a problem. A big, big problem. If Spielman is involved with choosing the next coach and running the team's draft, what's the difference? I have little faith that he'll make good choices on either end.
FELDY: Spielman says he's casting a wide net in this search for a coach — and maybe he is. But will he really bring in someone who will overshadow him or push back when he orders that certain guys play or certain guys sit? Will Spielman let the coach have his say in regards to the 53-man roster? Let's start throwing some names out. I'm locked in on one guy I think would be a great fit, but I'll throw out a bunch of names. You tell me who's a good fit: Seattle O.C. Darrell Bevell, Seattle D.C. Dan Quinn, 49ers O.C. Greg Roman, Chargers O.C. Ken Whisenhunt, Carolina D.C. Greg McDermott, Bengals O.C. Jay Gruden, Bengals D.C. Mike Zimmer. Or someone else?
PHERSY:Feldy, I don't have a magical answer, but again, I have no faith in Spielman making the correct call no matter what. I like Zimmer. But he's the guy who would push back, so I doubt Spielman will go for him. Zimmer is a no nonsense kind of coach who demands the best from his players. He'd be great. It's hard to argue with what Quinn has done in Seattle. That defense has missed significant players due to injury and suspension and yet it has remained a top defense in the NFL. To me, that means good coaching, not just loads of talent.
FELDY: Zimmer is my guy, too, Phersy. His Bengals' defenses have been top-10 in the NFL, he knows how to run a 4-3 and knows what to look for in young players. He's not afraid to speak his mind and by all accounts his players love playing for him. Only Carolina and Seattle allowed fewer points per possession than the Bengals this season. ... I'm going to go way off the board and throw out a name that was mentioned to me last week. He'd be egotistical enough to think he can turn the team around, but likely wouldn't make a ton of waves with Spielman. Plus, he knows the game. Brian Billick. Your thoughts?
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PHERSY:Yuck. I have no doubt Billick knows the game, and he'd be a capable coach. But I always hesitate when it comes to guys who are so arrogant that they're unwilling to admit when they make a mistake. Billick is that guy. At this point, I'd rather see a guy like Zimmer or a guy like Quinn get a shot as a head coach. Let's not recycle past garbage. And I really don't see Spielman doing that. He has to realize his job is on the line. He needs to make a go-for-broke hire. His future in the NFL depends on this hire, and if he swings and misses, he may never be the head man in a front office again.
