There’s one storyline the NFL hasn’t highlighted heading into the postseason, and that’s in all probability for authorized causes. Not less than, I can’t think about the league’s attorneys would advise them to showcase its total roster of Black head coaches making the playoffs, contemplating Brian Flores’ lawsuit continues to be pending.
In case you missed it, and crew house owners definitely hope you probably did, all 4 of the league’s Black head coaches will probably be on the sidelines this weekend. DeMeco Ryans, Mike Tomlin, Todd Bowles and Mike McDaniel — that’s it, that’s your entire group — make up an eighth of the NFL’s complete head coaches, however practically a 3rd of its playoff skippers. (McDaniel identifies as multiracial, however I’m not stepping on that landmine once more, so he’s Black a minimum of for this column.)
Take a look at the roles these coaches did this 12 months and it’s unimaginable to know the NFL’s obsession with retreads. Every of their franchises handled adversity, and held it collectively higher than 20 different groups.
Tomlin continued his streak of above .500 soccer regardless of a QB room filled with backups. Pittsburgh quarterbacks mixed for 13 landing passes to 9 interceptions. The Steelers handled accidents, disgruntled quarterbacks, followers, gamers and former gamers. Nonetheless received 10 video games.
Ryans is a strong candidate for Coach of the Year, making the playoffs in his first 12 months on the job with a Rookie (of the 12 months) quarterback. The Texans even misplaced CJ Stroud amid a battle for the AFC South and cut up two video games with backup Case Keenum. Oh, by the best way, Ryan is technically a defensive coach. Humorous how it’s doable to be each defensive minded and succesful sufficient to supervise QB growth, eh, Matt Eberflus?
Folks have severe reservations concerning the Dolphins’ legitimacy, but McDaniel has Miami within the playoffs in consecutive seasons, one thing the group hasn’t achieved since 2001. They face the defending Tremendous Bowl champs in Kansas Metropolis on Saturday, in addition to the weather, due to a late-season skid. I simply wish to level out that the Fins possess the superior speeding assault and most of the people is fading the bejesus out of Miami within the chilly climate.
All Bowles did was change Tom Brady with Baker Mayfield, win the division (once more), in addition to another recreation than final 12 months. The Bucs confronted a must-win Week 17 matchup for the NFC South and shutout Carolina. It’s additionally value noting that a number of groups gave up on Mayfield, who threw for 4,000-plus yards, 28 TDs and 10 picks.
There are at the moment eight head coach vacancies within the NFL, with the potential for a pair extra if Dallas and Philadelphia self-combust spectacularly this weekend. (Be aware how I didn’t embrace Miami, Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh or Houston in there.) So it’s doable that almost a 3rd of the league will probably be available in the market for a head coach.
If my crew’s proprietor, say David Tepper, had requested an interview with Dallas DC and famous choke artist Dan Quinn, I’d make it my life aim to trace down Tepper and throw half a glass of Red Bull and vodka in his stupid face. The Las Vegas Raiders really feel decided to miss how rapidly interim HC Antonio Pierce turned the crew from disorganized losers into semi-competent professionals.
There aren’t many rants concerning the defend’s lack of range that haven’t already been penned, and I do know I’m repeating myself, however the know-how to incept folks continues to be solely fictional. Till then, the programs of actions are two-fold, with various levels of viability: Sue the NFL, or rail on the league and its house owners for this teaching carousel of licensed losers.
