Re: OT - Keyshawn

> So what about that Bill Callahan, eh? He had nothing to do with the
> Raiders' collapse this season? It wasn't his fault the Raiders got
> blown out last season in the Super Bowl either, despite getting early
> opportunities handed to them, right?

I think it had more to do with the aging of the team. I'm not a
psychic, but I thought, at best, they'd win 8 games this year. They're
fossil-like in their starting core and really were doomed to this. I
don't think Callahan's a damn coaching legend, but I hardly think he's
inept.
 
> Really, I think you need to take a closer look at the big picture and
> realize that Callahan is probably closer to your description of an
> overrated coach than Gruden is. Yeah, the Raiders are aging, but
> Gannon, Rice and others proved the past couple of seasons they still
> had enough talent to play and play big. I don't buy into the argument
> that all these old players suddenly hit the wall and it's all over for
> them. (Well, in the case of Romo...yeah, it's over for him. :) )

I do. At what point do players hovering around 40 finally become over
the hill? The team is still playing with a shitload of heart with guys
like Rick Mirer and Tyrone Wheatley doing the bulk of the offensive
production (suddenly it's the NCAA in the early to mid 90's). In
_that_ division, it's hard enough to merely win 8 to 10 games, much
less a team with a shitload of problems. I don't think Callahan's not
to blame at all, I just don't think he's the only source of blame.

> And while I don't care for Al Davis, I don't put all the blame on his
> shoulders either. He takes some of the blame, but if you want to know
> the main reason why the Raiders are doing so poorly this season, it's
> Callahan.

Or aging players with no sign of improving over the years. I said it
last year when they lost...that was it, time to blow it up and start
over. You don't win in the NFL with a core of players hoverin around
40. Injuries catch up, players abilities slide...just happens.

> Gruden built up that Raider team on the field. Callahan just took what
> was built up for him, rode the momentum for one season, and when the
> momentum was not there this season, he couldn't get the team to
> recover, to the point Charles Woodson and others are complaining about
> it.

He had problems with his ego, not the first NFL coach to have that.
Over their past 3 games, they've played with a shitload of heart and
concern. Talent's not there, but the effort's increasing. Maybe that's
due to a meeting of the minds between the core leaders and Callahan?
Don't know..just seems like they've righted the ship.

> As for Gruden and the Bucs, let's see here... when Tony Dungy was
> there, the thought was that Shaun King was going to be the heir to the
> starting QB throne and Brad Johnson was an afterthought... until
> Gruden comes along and then Johnson gets results. No, Johnson didn't
> post huge numbers, but he was productive enough to get the job done,
> and that's sometimes better than a flashy QB.

That's less to do with Gruden as a head coach. He's a masterful
offensive-minded coach, I'll not deny that. But the Bucs are winning
with offense. The offense made things easier for a defense that was
Dungy's baby, along with Kiffin. If I'm not mistaken, King led them to
the NFC title game, nearly beating the Rams which were worldly that
year. Dungy didn't get enough credit, Gruden's getting too much. Just
my opinion, take it for what it's worth...but the Colts are 9-2 and
the Bucs aren't.

> Bottom line, Gruden showed he could get results with the offense he
> was given. Dungy is a good defensive-minded coach, but he never could
> get the Bucs over the hump with mostly the same offensive players,
> thus showing he's not so good in that department.

So, it was his fault Johnson underperformed? Can't blame the coach for
everything.

> With Dungy, it may just explain why the Colts can't get over that
> postseason hump, even though Dungy has better offensive players than
> he did when in Tampa.

Gruden=Switzer. Dungy will get them over the hump...just you wait.
 
> Bob Morris
> Bill Callahan: One of many NFL coaches soon to be ex-NFL coaches after
> this season, along with Jauron, Spurrier, maybe Schottenheimer, maybe
> Williams, maybe Wannstedt... geez, the ex-NFL coach list could be a
> long one after this season ends.

I see all of them gone sans Spurrier. I think he'll wait one more
year. Wannstedt is a close call.

Hey Bob!


Buse