Who are the top-five head coaches in the NFL?
Let’s start the discussion by listing coaches who used to be in the top-five but aren’t any more: Jeff Fisher, Mike Shanahan and Sean Payton. Am I leaving anyone out?
Fisher’s a defensive guy who hasn’t coached a dominant defense in quite a while. Shanahan’s an offensive guy who hasn’t coached a dominant offense since John Elway was a quarterback. And Sean Payton isn’t coaching this season.
Those guys are out. These guys aren’t.
5. Jim Harbaugh – Swiftly installed new offensive and defensive schemes in training camp and had the Niners ready to roll in mere weeks before the start of the regular season – an astonishing feat. He also lead the Niners a few plays away from the Super Bowl. All of this is more impressive when you consider he was making the very tough jump from college to the pros. He can ascend this list if he improves the offense as Jed York envisioned he would when he signed him. Last year, the defense carried the team, led largely by two brilliant Trent Baalke draft picks – Aldon Smith and NaVorro Bowman.
4. John Harbaugh – 1-0 versus his younger brother in the NFL, John also has a longer track record of success than Jim. John gets his team to play as tough as any team in the league, and he was a missed field goal away from beating Bill Belichick’s Patriots in the AFC Championship game.
3. Mike McCarthy – The new Sean Payton – the latest offensive mastermind in the NFL. He personally developed Aaron Rodgers and created one of the most potent offenses in football. He’s also won a Super Bowl.
2. Tom Coughlin – He’s won two Super Bowls and he doesn’t get nearly enough credit. He gets his team to play its best down the stretch of the season, which is what a good coach is supposed to do. If he beats Belichick in the Super Bowl one more time, he’ll be the undisputed best coach in the game.
1. Bill Belichick – He’s won three Super Bowls, gone to five and came inches away from winning all five. He built his reputation as a defensive genius, but he’s built one of the best offenses in NFL history the last ten years, and it’s only getting better. If he wins one more Super Bowl, he’s in the conversation for second greatest coach of all-time behind Dennis Erickson.
I mean Bill Walsh. Excuse me.
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It’s Fisher’s first year back as a coach, if Bill Cowher returned would you bump him off the list because he too hasn’t coach a dominant defense in awhile? If Fisher was on your top five then he should get at least half a season to prove that he still belongs there.
There is one big difference: Bill Cowher retired at the top of his game after winning the Super Bowl. Jeff Fisher was FIRED from Tennessee after too many mediocre years. The NFL is a “What have you done for me lately” league. Reputation can only carry you so far.
$7 million certainly can carry me quite far mike in SF#2.
Good list, but not great since you have 2 coaches who have never been to a recent Super Bowl listed ahead of Mike Tomlin.
Good point, Jack Hammer. Where would you put Tomlin?
In defense of the Harbaughs, they did sweep Tomlin last season.
I think he goes into the 3 spot, and you push McCarthy to 4 and John Harbaugh to 5.
Sounds reasonable.
I agree with you Jack as much as I like Jim Harbaugh, its too soon to rank him in the top five.
I concur. Tomlin came from out of nowhere and has guides the Steelers to two Super Bowl titles.
Tomlin inherited a winning team with a tier 1 QB and DC. I’d rank JimH above him based on last year’s success.
@MWNiner:
Actually, under Tomlin, the Steelers have two Super Bowl appearances, but only one title.
Jim Harbaugh also inherited a very talented roster that had been misguided by poor head coaches. And maybe the QB would have been a Tier 1 talent if the previous coaching staffs had been at least decent.
Yeah you’re right. I think my brain is failing me today. lol
Jack, understood. But the Steelers had won a SB (2005) just two years before Tomlin was given the reins. The Steeler team knew how to win and were winners. The 9er team prior to JH was never better than 8-8 in the previous 8 years. Yes they had talent but winning is the difficult piece as we know. JH had to teach them how to become winners. Add in the lockout, no OTA’s, implementing a new offense, etc. Hell of a coaching job for a first year HC!!
It was a great job and I am glad he is the 49er HC, but I don’t rank him above someone who has had continued success and 2 Super Bowl runs.
Would you downplay the ’89 and ’94 Super Bowls for George Seifert because he took over a good team? There is a lot to be said for taking over a team and being able to keep them at an elite level.
Jack, yes I would. I think GS was the right HC at that time but even with the wins including a SB, he wasn’t in the top 5 with some of his contemporaries. He had the chance to build a team from the ground up when he went to the Panthers as HC and he struck out.
I am with you on that one Hof. GS, I would not consider him to be a great HC. To tell you the truth I am not sure he was the right hire.
Fair enough Hofer. I just don’t think John or Jim Harbaugh should be ranked higher than Tomlin at this point. Neither have reached his level of continued success.
In addition to his football skills Tomlin managed to keep Gregory House in check. that’s some serious chops.
GC,
Not a bad list but I think it’s time to give BB a ding. He let his defense get old and they were ranked 31st in the league last year. He is lucky the tide has turned and the NFC now is the best conference. If LEvans holds onto the ball, N.E. would be getting the wrath of the media. Everything is cyclical and there are teams on the rise with good/great coaches. Looking forward to pre-season.
You’re right Hof. However, he had led the Patriots to five Super Bowls with a victory in there of them.
MidWest,
Exactly. We’re not talking about all-time HC ranking we are discussing current ranking.
Which is why BB is right where he should be. Despite Spygate, he has become the current coach others look up to and try to do as he does.
It should have been a major blemish on his record but it was viewed by most as a lesser degree of cheating for some reason.
It is a blemish, but it doesn’t dismiss the accomplishments.
belichick is not #2 all time you have lombardi, noll, landry, shula halas and i could go on. belichick has’nt won a SB since he got caught cheating and the cheating brings his earlier SB wins into question
Can we just stop with this? The Niners cheated the Salary Cap during the 90′s and got caught. Are you going to take that win away from us in ’94? I didn’t think so. The whole hate on Billicheck thing is so played out and is much ado about nothing. The guy is a fantastic coach and won Super Bowls with “average” talent-level teams.
@Mike:
Fwiw, the salary cap violation(s) that got SF in trouble occurred in 1997, more than two years after the 1994 Super Bowl.
I’m with you old coach. Belichick has done absolutely nothing as a head coach without Brady. Other coaches have been able to be successful with multiple QBs. As far as the salary cap thing goes, that’s about as ridiculous an argument as I’ve heard. Cheating the salary cap and devising an illegal scheme so you know what plays the offense is running before the snap aren’t even in the same hemisphere. One is like your kid taking an extra cookie without permission and the other is like robbing a bank. BB is definitely a great coach but he most certainly isn’t #2 all time.
Winning 10 games or more a year for the past 12 years and being in the playoffs consistently I’d say is a pretty good standard to go by for any head coach.
Belichick is without a doubt the best coach in the NFL right now and top 5 forsure all time. Add the fact he has 3 superbowl and a team next year that will be a contender, he could win another 3 with a great owner in Kraft.
No other bad HC has won 3 Super Bowls. No average HC has won 3 Super Bowls. No good HC has won 3 Super Bowls.
Great HC’s have. You are not remotely being fair here Houston.
..”Belichick has done absolutely nothing as a head coach without Brady”…..
…Belichick with M. Cassel went 11-5 in 2008
…….The first team since the 1985 Denver Broncos to finish with an 11–5 record and not make the playoffs…..
Brady is a product of Belichick, not the other way around. Belichick made mediocre Matt Cassel look like a star when he hadn’t played quarterback since high school. Without Belichick, Brady wouldn’t be that great.
Great call oneniner…
Yes,very good point Oneniner !!!
Guys,
Look at the last 10 years of the Pats, and the last 10 years of the Niners history and tell me you wouldn’t have liked to have BB over anybody we had as HC prior to JH.
I’d take out McCarthy. He started with Favre, and how good has Mike been coaching in the playoffs?
Mike Tomlin in less time has 2 Super Bowls in a tougher conference (till now). If McCarthy coaches like he did in that Giants game (AR had company in guys who blew it), he won’t be around in 2014. He will have only won in the playoffs in 2010, and 1(?) game with Favre.
McCarthy took over a .500 team, and went to the NFC Championship in his first year. He then oversaw the transition from Favre to Rodgers, won a Super Bowl, and had the best record in the league last year before losing to the coach Grant ranks 2nd. He deserves to be in the top 4.
And GB offense is the best and most prolific in the game today. Thats all on McCarthy who has used his personnel grouping exceptionally well. They use guys like Nelson, Jones, Jennings, and Driver in all types of formations and those guys produce. They played terribly against the Giants last year and the G-men were lucky to win that game if it were not for all those dropped pases.
Rodgers is one of the best QB’s in the league and again that is on McCarthy for developing an offense that utlizes his strengths-quick release and timing. Niners should have hired him as their HC before Nolan.
Unlike most HC’s, McCarthy inherited a good team (believe the Pack in the playoff picutre the year before he took over). One that already had a lot of pieces in place. Nolan, just to compare, inherited the worst team in Niner history.
And if the Pack owner is anything like Mr. D was, McCarthy is in hot water. Remember Mr. D almost fired Bill Walsh following the Niners loss against the Vikings in 198 season? That was ruthless. If the Pack owner is nothing like Eddie, then McCarthy might be ok. If he is though….watch out.
The Pack have this great offense. And yet, they completely blew it against the Giants. Forgive me if I am wrong on this, but wasn’t the OC getting over some kind of death at that time?
How is the OC that vital on a team which has an offensive minded HC? They looked lousy out there. Every one of them. It is the HC’s job to get his guys ready for a game, and McCarthy did not. Why keep him around if he can’t get his guys ready and he isn’t the key ingredient to the Packers offensive success on the coaching staff? Why not just replace McCarthy with the OC then? After all, it was clear the team tumbled without their OC on the sideline and their HC really had no answers.
McCarthy is deserving of the accolades. The Packers had a good team for awhile and couldn’t make it over the hump. With McCarthy they did and the offense he’s presided over has been fantastic.
Based on that logic and analogy DS should the 49ers have fired Harbaugh and Roman for not having them ready to play against the Giants. I mean the offense played terrible with no passes caught by a WR? Were they not ready to play?Is that on the coaches?
Your using apples to make your orange arguement.
@rocket
The point is that he didn’t inherit a garbage dump like many HC’s have, and his playoff success is not that great. He had 2010. And one year with Favre getting them to the Championship game in 7(?) seasons. BW inherited a lot worse a team, and won his first Super Bowl in just 3 years. It took McCarthy about twice that time with a lot better to start with. I can’t discount how good a team is when a HC comes onto a team so easily.
Since he became HC, the Pack have lost the Lambeau Field mystique. Every other HC in their history has won at home almost every single time in the playoffs. I think they only lost 1 game before McCarthy. McCarthy has not done well in the playoffs. Something is wrong there.
@Latino
Not remotely the same thing at all.
1. The GB Packers had 2 weeks to get ready for this game. They had played the Giants earlier, and got lucky beating them. They should have gotten up for this game and studied their film a lot more. They knew they could lose, but the coaching didn’t prep the players.
2. AR’s missed a lot of wide open WR’s. AS missed one. Of course they also dropped some as well. Like I said, they all stank.
3. The Niners defense did a lot better than the Pack defense. So, JH and his coaching staff got his defensive guys up. Can you say the same for the Pack D?
Also, the Niners offense didn’t turn the ball over. That is why they were in that game…until the ST turned it over. The Packers offense did turn the ball over. Number one way to win/lose a playoff game – Turnovers.
4. The refs in the Pack game were giving the Pack every possible chance. The refs in the Niners game really missed one that would have likely won the game for us late in the 4th.
5. Please take a biology class. If you are saying apples are oranges are that different, you really don’t know what you are talking about. They are both fruit so they both came from plants.
And yes, I know it is an expression. Still doesn’t make it meaningful.
DS, “Unlike most HC’s, McCarthy inherited a good team (believe the Pack in the playoff picutre the year before he took over)”
Not quite, they were coming off a losing record and had been in decline which is why they fired Sherman. In McCarthy’s first year he took them to the championship game where they lost to the Giants (Hence Grant has, Coughlin ahead of him).
“Remember Mr. D almost fired Bill Walsh following the Niners loss against the Vikings in 198 season?”
That was in ’87, and the team really struggled in ’85-’86 as well, by their standards, so there was more history than just that one loss.
“The Pack have this great offense. And yet, they completely blew it against the Giants. Forgive me if I am wrong on this, but wasn’t the OC getting over some kind of death at that time?”
Correct, his son had died earlier in the week and that loss had a tremendous emotional impact on the team and probably caused them to lose some focus in preparation.
“Why not just replace McCarthy with the OC then?”
Because he was just hired to be the Dolphins Head Coach.
Forgot, one more
JH and GR are in year 1. A year that didn’t give them the regular time to get things settled.
McCarthy has been around a long time. He’s set his system in place. His routine lead to that Giants loss.
That is a difference that can’t be sneezed at.
DS,
McCarthy took over a 4-12 team and had them in the Championship game at home in two seasons. It’s not as impressive as what Harbaugh did this year, but nothing to turn your nose up at.
The man has a record of 63-33, 5-3 in the playoffs and a SB win, not to mention the fact he coordinates one of the most prolific offenses in the game.
I’m not going to knock Tomlin because I think he’s an excellent HC, but he’s the guy who most resembles the the scenario you’ve laid out to criticize McCarthy.
Tomlin took over a team a year removed from winning the SB, and one that was a perrenial contender with a HC who got burned out and left rather than one who got fired. Not to mention they had a good young QB just entering his prime. You are barking up the wrong tree on this one.
@rocket
Very nice work. The QB who they had lead them to the Championship was already an established star. The system he brought in was not a complete 180 from what the last coach had done, so that helped. And the Packers simply had a bad year before .e took over.
In 2003 the Pack were 10-6, in 2004 the Pack were 10-6. In 2005, the Pack were 4-12. Then their HC was fired, and McCarthy took a team who was 10-6 for 2 of the last 3 seasons and 4-12 last seasons to 8-8. The Pack were hardly without talent rocket. The two years prior to 4-12, they made the playoffs. And they didn’t lose their cornerstone of the franchise (QB) for this whole period.
Good for Mike he took 4-12 to 8-8. But that team was hardly equal to the Niners 4-12 after AS’s first season talent wise. Not all 4-12′s are the same. And the mystique is gone after 40+ years or so. Back in the mid 90′s, the Niners had Steve Young as their QB. I feared going to GB then. Not now though. Even with AS/CK as QB. No more fear for teams in the frozen tundra.
Whatever attitude that franchise once had at home in the playoffs is gone. And it went away the same time McCarthy took control. HC’s set the teams personality/attitude. They don’t have the attitude to dominate as they have since before the Super Bowl game was even played since 1919 when they were formed. Can’t ignore that. Or his egg in the 2011 playoffs. Regular season is only played to get into the playoffs. No other reason. If you stink there, what you did before really just goes away.
Ds….. Do you hate the Packers that much? That you cant give their head coach some due?
DS, “Whatever attitude that franchise once had at home in the playoffs is gone. And it went away the same time McCarthy took control.”
No, it went away in 2003 under Mike Sherman when Michael Vick blew them out of the playoffs.
md
It’s called somebody’s opinion. Doesn’t have to be the same as yours.
And if you claim to be such a big Niner fan, how can you not hate the Packers? They are the reason we don’t have 6 or 7 Super Bowls.
It’s called respect DS.
You might not like them, but you should respect their accomplishments.
Ds…… I was hoping for a simple yes, so I could give you an atta boy/girl/alien….. because I haaaaate the Packers. So take it easy.
And Jack…. I will never forget the time Vick {before he was a dog killer} went into GB and killed that Lambou field crap. I cheered like it was Young to Owens. Its true. That mojo hasnt been the same since that game, but these sre the 49ers.And for some Fn reason they cant beat this team. Game 1 this year is THEEE most important to me. Its time to put this team back in their rightful place when playing us. Ill believe we can beat them when we actually do.
md,
They played GB well there a couple years ago, but the offense was so bad they couldn’t capitalize. If they get through the preseason without injuries I see no reason they can’t get a W in week 1.
@md
“…so I could give you an atta boy/girl/alien….. ”
Well, you seem to still be thinking it over.
: – )
Yes they did Jack…….But was it the Packers taking the day off because a bad team rolled in? I think so. I was at a game when Garcia was there I dont know if you remember it, we had a chance to win late and Favre threw an easy Int through the arms of??? I forget who the LB was, they scored. Then I watched AF running wide open on a fake pitch reverse and like it took 10 minutes watched Favre throw the bomb for an easy TD… My beer was being worn by the fans across the walkway from me… oops….. then watched Garcia drive us downfield and get to the 8 i believe only to throw balls in the damn dirt and we lost. That game not the blowouts in the playoffs is the one that stuck with me for years. Those close losses to this team kill me more. Id rather get blown out. Sorry for the rant, but I really really REALLY hate this team. Ok now Im done. ;-)
md,
It was probably a bit of both, but the defense has proven to be better now, and the offense looks to be much improved from that day with Troy Smith calling signals.
True Jack. And Ill say its our best shot at beating this team since 02,but I want to see it happen. Had my heart broken to many times by that team. Oh BTW It wasWinborn that dropped that INT if I remember correctly. Blah. GO A’S!!!!!!!!!!!! HA HA HAAAAA
It’s tough to forgive McCarthy after he pushed for the 49ers to take Alex over Aaron. And then he went and won a SB with Aaron.
Bad mojo in my book.
Makes you wonder if he knew he was going to be coaching the Pack down the line. Lol.
This year, we’ll find out how good of a coach McCarthy is. I think Joe Philbin – the Packer’s former OC – was very under rated. If the Packer’s offense stumbles/struggles this year, then a good portion of their past success should be attributed to Philbin. I have my doubts about McCarthy, let’s see how he does this year.
That offense was developed by McCarthy and the playcalling has been all McCarthy. Philbin was a puppet really, just like Carmichael in NO.
It is still one of the best with those weopons and the best QB in the game. GB might struggle this year because they will have a lot of new players on defense. They had a great draft in addressing their pass rush and d-line. They are still a top 3 team in the NFC.
Latino Heat
You sound like the Packers PR department. Either that or you’re a Packer fan. McCarthy is the luckiest SOB in the NFL. After the Niners stank it up and had one of the worse offenses in the league – with McCarthy as the OC – he somehow landed a head coaching job. At Green Bay, he’s had the benefit of having a solid FO and a pro-bowl QB.
No Nic,k a 49ers fan and overall football fan. McCarthy had next to nothing to work with in SF when hew as here. They had a rookie QB, and an offensive line that could not block beach balls. He has done well in GB, you cant deny that winning a superbowl, taking Rodgers to MVP status and a team that will be a contender for years.
My point is the entire organization from top to bottom is solid and has been for years. We are on our way there too with some solid ownership in Jed, a good GM, and a great coaching staff.
And BTW Nick, its okay to appreciate other teams in the NFL, it makes it fun.
The fascinating thing about Belicheck is that while he’s a defensive coach he really gets involved in the offensive side of the ball. I saw some of the documentary about him and there were sessions where he and Brady went over the offense and Belicheck’s role was to address how he would attack or defeat Brady’s offense. Also, the Patriot’s offense has been evolving over the past decade under Brady into different forms. During Brady’s first few years as the starter, the Patriots were primarily a defensive team with a mostly pedestrian offense. Remember, they didn’t have any real super stars on offense. Eventually as Belicheck’s confidence in Brady grew, the offense became more QB centered and by 2007 we got the deep ball aerial show with Randy Moss deep and Welker underneath. But by 2010 and especially 2011 the Pat’s offense changed again to be more horizontal almost more pure West Coast Offense with Welker, Gronkowski and Hernandez stretching defenses wide and at times deep….but can anyone really name any of the Patriot’s wide receivers other than Welker? If the Patriots can get a strong running game to go with their 2 TE Offense, they will be even scarier.
I think the Harbaughs are overated here. Tomlin definitely deserves a spot. If we’re looking at win loss records over the past 5 years, I think you have include Sean Payton (despite Bounty Gate, because even with all that crap, their defense mostly sucked).
I’d agree with you on John Harbaugh being overrated. He’s produced essentially the same results as Billick. Ozzie Newsome is the true force behind the Ravens.
Jim Harbaugh is supposed to be an offensive guru but it was Fangio’s defense that carried the team in 2011. Jim’s supposed to be an offensive guru and the 49ers offense was, well, offensive.
We’ll see what happens in 2012.
Much of the Niner’s offensive struggles could be attributed to:
1. A coaching staff that didn’t fully trust their starting QB
2. A starting QB who couldn’t consistently perform at a high level
Nickrow, come on man, it had a lot more to do with the players having to learn an entire new offense in a shortened offseason. There were trust issues but not because of the QB, your giving Alex way too much blame.The trust aspect was knowing the plays, the audibles, and the adjustments, cant pin it on one player.
Installation of a complex offense that JH has takes at least 3 years to fully grasp. Every NFL player and coach says that after year three your finally understanding every aspect of the offense. My bet is they didnt even install the vertical passing game til after the bye week because they probably didnt have time or they realized they didnt have the personel.
This year they will the opportunity to get in that passing/vertical attack in addition to a pretty solid running game and intermediate passing game.
@NickRow:
1. Pure speculation on your part
2. Probably the fairest and most objective description of Smith’s play I have seen from you
Despite his stupidity, I would have to put Sean Payton ahead ahead of both Harbaughs. He managed to bring up a team up from the depths of Aints and, along with Drew Brees, made them into a legitimate threat and a Super Bowl winner.
MWN
If Sean was coaching this year I would agree but this is a list of current coaches.
Is Payton not being considered because of his suspension Grant?
Correct.
I wasn’t sure or not. I officially retract Sean Payton from the discussion.
I know he’s not a head coach but Godfather Fangio is not getting the respect he deserves. I would argue he is the best defensive mind in the NFL right now over Capers and BB. What he did with the defense was amazing and was the main reason the 49ers got as far as they did.
I think Fangio’s 3-4 scheme is fairly straight-up, and Baalke should get a lot of the credit for drafting and signing all those excellent players.
Like I said, no respect. ” I think Fangio’s 3-4 scheme is fairly straight-up, and Baalke should get a lot of the credit for drafting and signing all those excellent players”. He is still calling the defensive plays and adjusting in game as well as devising the game plan. I do not know how much input he has with regard to personnel but I have no problem giving Mr. Baalke his due, but c’mon, Vic is very, very good.
obviously Fangio’s work with the Defense improved things.
But let’s not forget that most of the core of the defense was already there. There were a few personnel tweaks and additions that turned out to be huge:
-Moving Sopoaga to Nose Tackle. It had been known that Sopoaga didn’t care for the nose position. He LIKED playing End. But in Fangio’s Defense he got to attack more and read less at the Nose position. Sopoaga was an upgrade to the stout but less explosive Abruyo Franklin.
-McDonald to full time starter at End. McDonald was always a good pass rushing 3 technique Defensive Tackle in 4 man lines in passing downs. But no one was sure about him taking on the responsibility of full time starter at End in the base Defense. McDonald proved to be stout and disruptive in the backfield and was an upgrade over Sopoaga at the End position.
-Bowman starts at ILB. Did anyone see an All Pro year coming from Bowman? I knew he was talented but last year he looked lost at times and was engulfed by blockers. But the Front Office decided to move on from a very good but older Inside Linebacker in Takeo Spikes and gambled (at least from my POV) on Bowman.
-Whitner brings stability to the secondary. Whitner isn’t the best deep coverman. He’s a good tackler and can lay some wood on someone. But best of all he got the secondary (that was often confused in 2010). Goldson isn’t the Defense’s QB (he was supposed to be in 2010). He likes to freelance too much and needs someone to keep him in check so he takes care of his responsibilities.
-Carlos Rodgers turns in a career year. It’s not like Rodgers came in as one of the elite Corners in the league. He was a talented Corner that was on his way to being a Journyman. He benefited from the Niner’s pass rush and coverage schemes which gave him safety help over the top…basically unlike in Washington, he wasn’t expected to be an elite shutdown Corner.
Aldon Smith – 14 sacks from a rookie? I mean we all hoped he be a talented pass rusher that would contribute but that was more than we could ask for.
My point is that most of the talent was there (Justin Smith, Patrick Willis, Brooks, Sopoaga…even Harelson). But the front office made some personnel adjustments that all paid off (on the defensive side….on offensive side…Braylon Edwards as the solution at WR was a mess). What Fangio did was blitz less, and let the front 7 attack more. The moves of McDonald to End and Sopoaga to NT were perfect for this. This let the the safeties to focus on deep coverage which helped out the Corners. Remember how often the Niner’s secondary was BBQ under Manusky? It was because the Niner were often playing a deep zone coverage; either cover 3 or quarters. In Fangio’s defense the Corners played tighter to the receivers but were confident in doing so because they had safety help over top.
Good post allforfunplay
Agree with the Whitner part. The biggest thing he did was bring stability and leadership to that secondary. DG never did.
But I don’t agree with your Edwards analysis. It was a no lose deal. 1 year. For a guy who had some prior good success. He started out great with AS, and the two of them seemed to click in a way that AS and MC have not in 3 years.
Just sucks that he got hurt. Then after that, he didn’t seem to keep his mind in the game. I can remember 5 times (2 different possessions) when he flat out didn’t do what he had to. had he done so, the Niners score another 2 TD’s. One being against Baltimore.
If you are going on right now the #1 coach has to be Coughlin
Agree. Two times being questioned if he was a good fit at HC for the NYG’s and he delivers two SB’s. On the sidelines he looks whiny and ready for a coronary, but he is currently a top HC.
@Grant:
Doesn’t it trouble you to place Belichick ahead of Coughlin when Coughlin is 2-0 against Belichick in Super Bowl games?
It does. I gave the No. 1 spot to Belichick because he’s more success fore a longer period of time.
And the Patriots barely lost those two Super Bowls.
Grant
The Patriots had the easiest team to beat in round 2 of the playoffs (Broncos) and really should not have even made the Super Bowl. That was a TD for Baltimore that they got screwed over.
Tom Brady in both games flat out lost it. Throwing a 4th quarter Int for no reason at all, looking like a foolish rookie in each instance.
Gronkowski was hurt. With him healthy this season, plus the additions of Brandon Lloyd and Jabar Gaffney, their offense should be better than it’s ever been.
You have to put Belichick #1. He’s got his team in contention every year, and is usually doing it with spare parts that would suck somewhere else. If there is one area you can knock him, it would be in the draft where his record is less than stellar; but as a HC, there’s nobody better.
Coughlin has been very good, but his teams are not nearly as consistent as Belichicks have been.
How does Gronkowski being hurt have any impact on Brady throwing those two really stupid Int’s in the 4th quarter? If memory serves, the Pats D had just gotten a TO of their own and gave Brady the ball near the 50 or so in the Super Bowl. Then, first play….TB threw up the stupid pass that was Int. The game was there for the taking and securely winning it. Not only did the Pats not score a TD or even a FG, or even take some time off the clock which would have prevented the “Should have been TD” since there would be less time, but it was just a horrible decision and pass.
Face it. He didn’t manage either game well. Game managing matters a lot more than most think. One HOF QB says it is about 70% of the QB’s job.
I agree, but Brady’s still a great QB. He still won 3 Super Bowls. The Patriots should be better this season. They have 6 to 1 odds of winning the Super Bowl.
Sorry.
Got the games confused a bit. Still, the point is the same.
By the same token, the Pats barely won their 3 SBs. All by 4 points or less if I recall correctly.
They could very well be 0-5 in the big game.
The Pats are what they are.
They are and deserve to be 3-2. Maybe a better argument can be made that they shouldn’t have been in at least 2 of those Super Bowls (last one and the “Tuck” game).
And, in 5 Super Bowls, and with 2 losses, Brady has yet to have a JM Super Bowl XXIII moment throwing the winning TD in the last minute of the game.
1. Sean Payton (this rat is a phenomenal coach) I know he’s suspended.
2. Bill Belichick (his football intelligence is off the charts)
3. John Harbaugh (smart, tough and a tremendous motivator)
4. Mike Tomlin (players coach who gets the most out of his players)
5. Tom Coughlin (knows how to win big games)
6. Jim Harbaugh (super bowl win gets him in top 3 next year)
I like your top five, but IMO you have them in the wrong order.
1 Mike McCarthy
I think these guys are young and are going to be special for a long time as long as Mr. Rogers stays healthy.
2. Bill Belichick
He’s a genius and incredibly cerebral. Just wondering how how much of his intelligence came from sophisticated spying….
3. Tom Coughlin
Doesn’t seem all that smart. He’s old school, he’s got a blue collar approach. He was also gifted a superbowl in my opinion. The Bradshaw no fumble call and to KW fumbles got him there. For this reason he is number 3.
4. Jim Harbaugh
I would rank Jim higher only because he accomplished so much without a legit #1 receiver and without a decent QB. While he did have some rookie errors in his first season, he was the benefactor of a top three defense which allowed the team to win in spite of it’s shortcomings. He will be top two this year.
5. John Harbaugh
Legitimate number five. The jury is out for this year though. Like his brother the bell cow of his team is the defense. John’s is aging. Will be interesting to see how they do this year. My opinion is they will slide.
Why no Mike Tomlin Bay?
Not enough of a strategist for me. IMO not being strong enough to sit his injured QB sank his entire season.
A good HC would not have allowed a severely injured QB to talk his way into continued play.
He’s a lot like Singletary. Run it up the gut. Punch you in the mouth. Only his defense is better than Sings and his QB and receivers are better too.
Yup.
I have to agree with you on that one bay.
@Bay:
He’s a lot like Singletary.
What did Mike Tomlin ever do to you?
” He’s a lot like Singletary.”
Not really. He wins.
I agree with Bay’s point – there are a lot of similarities with MS and in spite of it he wins!
If Sing had Aldon Smith he would still be our HC. All they were missing was some pressure. Because of the lack of pressure, their defense couldn’t close out games.
Mike Johnson would be the OC. Don’t know who our QB would be at this point had Sing still been the HC.
I agree.
If Sing had Aldon Smith he would still be our HC. All they were missing was some pressure.
Wow.
The second sentence is an overstatement, but the first sentence is probably true. Aldon Smith’s play would have been enough to save Singletary’s job.
“Save his job”??
Why not just write that negative thought on Monday??! Just terrible to think about heading into a weekend! LOL
Okay it’s official, Bayarea and Grant ate the dumbest guys on the blog or I pull the haters favorite card a d say they are the same poster.
Coach Sing would not be our head coach if he had an All Star roster because he did not know anything related to NFL offenses, game management and how to handle different players on the offensive side of the ball.
Are you guys clueless to all the errors he made during games and his inability to make adjustments? WOW!
How bout the fact that he could not hire any decent coaches to be on his staff? Maybe everyone knew except you two morons that he didn’t know an X from and O? But if he had Aldon Smith, none of that would matter? Holy cow you guys are pathetic!
PT, if Sing had somehow cajoled the team to win a game or two at the end of the 2010 season and the Niners, not Seahawks, had squeaked into the playoffs with that losing record, I think it’s even money team ownership would have given him another year.
Ribico looking back thank goodness that didn’t happen because this team under Sing would be the Dolphins righ now. We needed an offensive minded coach andone who could bring in coaches to teach and mentor, not motivate and dictate the notion that we could “will ourselves to victory”
The franchise was set back with the hiring of Sing and Nolan because they didn’t understand that having quality position coaches is essential. Nolan had that with Turner but after that it was a gong show. No one player saves a coaches job, it’s the staff he hires that will.
Look at all the great coaches Walsh had on his staff over the years, that’s says it all!
@Prime
Not necessarily.
Tomlin and Belichick are defensive minded guys. And have 7 Super Bowl appearances between them. In the same conference.
Problem with the theory that Aldon Smith would have saved Sing’s job………chances are high that Sing would never have drafted him in the first place.
I doubt Singletary would have remained HC with Aldon Smith. He was a poor gameday HC, wasn’t a strategist, had a backward and ancient view of players and offensive football. That was pretty obvious to everyone by the time he was let go. I don’t think defense was our biggest problem under Sing although it wasn’t great. It was the fact everybody knew what the offense was going to run before they ran it.
Good man, Great football player, Terrible HC.
Solid argument Bay. I still rank Tomlin as top five, but I see your point.
>>4. Jim Harbaugh
I would rank Harbaugh higher due to the fact he brought a new system and playbook to a team on a 10 year losing streak and implemented it with no offseason and minimal preseason, yet was 1 play away from the SB. That has to be unprecedented in the history of the league, no?
You might be right ribico.
But, considering league history is not the same as FA history, the statement loses some steam. Not a bunch. But some.
Belichick is equal to Bill Walsh in my mind. Blasphemy, I know. But not since Bill Walsh has there been a coach so innovative and, quite simply, so fascinating. Good topic Grant.
bill walsh would never have cheated and his coaching tree was far more successful he not only taught players he taught coaches. lombardi was the penultimate teacher and is the only coach who should be considered with walsh
As Patton yells out…”Rommel you magnificent bast**d, I read your book!!”
BB read the great BW’s book, “Finding the Winning Edge.”
Going to be a long time before someone overtakes BW as the number one headcoach.
BW’s blueprint for running an NFL organization is unparalleled. His coaching tree not only has a large amount of branches, but now the saplings are popping up all over the league. What sets BW apart from Lombardi and BB is that he had more than HC responsibility yet stayed focused on winning and won big. He was the NFL’s first renaissance man!!
>>He (Coughlin) gets his team to play its best down the stretch of the season
But as often as not his teams collapse in the second half of the season. In the playoffs they either go all the way or they are one and done. Though he has 2 rings, that inconsistency makes me wonder.
@ribico
“In the playoffs they either go all the way or they are one and done. ”
GB’s HC McCarthy only has 1 Super Bowl, and the only time his team won any playoff games with AR at the helm was in 2010.
So, Coughlin has twice as many Super Bowls and is only 1 spot higher. By the way, who did he inherit for his QB? I bet he wasn’t as good as Favre was.
DS, “So, Coughlin has twice as many Super Bowls and is only 1 spot higher. By the way, who did he inherit for his QB? I bet he wasn’t as good as Favre was.”
Coughlin inherited Kurt Warner and replaced him in the middle of that first year with Eli Manning.
What…no Rex Ryan?? WTH??!!! Is there no points given for being the loudest man in the NFL?? :p
At least he is no longer the heaviest!! LOL
He’d be #1 in my book if it weren’t for that personnel meltdown that happened unoticed right under his nose.
I kid ;)
“Let’s go eat a God damn snack.”
Best closing line to a pre-training camp seminar ever!! I’ll never forget watching that and looking over at my buddy and us both saying “did he just say that?”
Ryan’s a good coach but he always has his foot in his mouth. Or is that someone else’s foot????
Nobody else’s foot – just a footlong from Subway…
Lol.
http://eatitforlunch.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/rex-feet-time-copy.jpg
Not fattening enough 49erGirl. If you slap an order of pizza with everything on it in that foot-long as well, then maybe.
I thought I heard that Ryan has lost something like 90 pounds this off season !
Tim
There was so much there already, I don’t think it will be that noticeable.
LOL DS !
That’s a good list, although Payton would obviously be on it if not for Bounty Gate. The common trait between these coaches is their flexibility and ability to adapt. That is what made Walsh so great. It would be very interesting to see what a Walsh coached offense would look like in today’s NFL. I don’t think it would look like his West Coast offense of the 80′s, but I know it would be something to see. I’m not a Belichick fan, but he is a great coach and has done a excellent job of adapting to the talent he has. I don’t think he is nearly the talent evaluator that Walsh was though.
this just in jim harbaugh is the lowest paid coach in the nfc west
according to sfgate
THAT and the fact he says some outrageously funny jokes, makes it a head scratcher H-man doesn’t get where Lowell is coming from..or if he does,why pretend he doesn’t?
It was actually a few days/or blogs old.
Lowell Cohn,Stan the man,Tim Kawakami,Monte Poole and Glenn Dickey. OH,I thought you wanted a list of who WOULD be a top five NFL coach. My mistake…
I’d say it’s a coin flip between LC and GD!! LOL
Hoferfan67, I had lunch with Glenn Thursday at the Giants game. He’s always been my hero. Lowell
LC, thanks for the shout and update. I remember reading the greats from the old green sheet when I was a kid. I sent GD an email when it was announced he was leaving (sent one to the publisher as well – he actually replied – SStones former husband). BTW, GD still writes a excellent reads for the Examiner.
Back when the Sporting Green was actually green. There’s a memory.
FYI
KNBR will have JH on at 1:45 today.
Jim Harbaugh: “Michael Crabtree has the best hands of any wide receiver I’ve ever seen.”
Coach speak at it’s finest.
Undercenter mention GS wasn’t the right hire earlier in the post. I don’t think he was the right hire and he wasn’t Mr. Debartolo’s first choice. Eddie D wanted to hire Jimmy Johnson but Bill Walsh talked him into promoting GS. We probably would have had at least 7 Lombardi’s with JJ as HC.
@TrevNiner
I don’t see it.
The Cowboys got something that really hasn’t happened before or since. That Walker trade was the biggest robbery in all of sports history perhaps.
I could have won a Super Bowl with that offense that they got from that trade. People who know nothing about football all said, “Just give it to Emmitt.” and it worked.
Now, Johnson sure gets some credit for teaching the guys up, but no horrible team has ever been so lucky. Plus, he left because of a power struggle. He wasn’t fired. His ego was hurt, so he left. Not exactly the JH type attitude.
dont forget the charles haley give away
From Jim Harbaugh interview with Lynch on KNBR, “why did the cucumber like to hang out with the mushroom?”.
“Because he’s a fungi”
Lol I heard that. JH had some good things to say about Crabs and his hands, and Moss in his speed, and AS in his knowledge.
I heard some of it. He said nice things about MC’s hands. Of course there were no draping DB’s on the guy either. But a no drop day is better than a day when you do drop passes.
And AS has gained some weight. Don’t know if that is good or bad. Just is.
undercenter,
Interesting that while many on here say Crabtree’s hands are not very good, they are actually the best on the team according to Harbaugh.
The interview was really good. Harbaugh was relaxed and his personality was evident.
I was one who questioned Crabs hands and if Harbaugh says he has great hands who the am I to say he doesnt.
Kevin Lynch just said that AS no doubt has the talent. Take from it what you want.
And supposedly the Niners have told Randy Moss (competing with Crabtree) that he needs to earn a starter job. That was the first time that has ever happened. And he likes AJ Jenkins. KW is supposedly a good slot WR.
All of this is from Kevin Lynch by the way
Didn’t say where Manningham might be.
If we take what Kevin said straight up, Randy and MC would be our 2 starters. KW would be our slot WR and Jenkins gets in somewhere. I figure a lot of somewhere’s.
So, where is Manningham? I said to expect at least one of these guys to be cut. Manningham and MC have similar guaranteed money. But if MC is ahead of Manningham like that, then Manningham may be cut.
Every good team typically has 1 surprise cut every year. We got that Eagle RB (forgot his name) because a good team had to drop a good player. Anybody want to guess who to expect to get cut?
Also, Kevin said that MC had great hands when he came out. Then MC tends to not stand up to the pressure. And drops the pressure “must catch” 3rd down drops more than not. But he has a full TC (maybe) coming up.
….my concern is not MC hands but can he separate from a defender before the ball is thrown…
…..and the fact that he thinks every ball should be a jump ball…..
Jim Harbaugh said about an hour agoon the radio that MC has the best hands and Moss he’s ever seen.
@oneniner
I think MC is actually better at catching the high ones (“I like the high ones!”).
When he drops the ball, it is usually the passes thrown chest high, or lower. I don’t recall him scooping up any low passes. Do you?
I have the same concern though about MC separating from defenders. But, we can’t judge that at all from drills where there were no defenders. So, I have to with-hold any judgement about that until TC starts I guess.
@md
He said Moss was incredibly fast. I just need him to keep that speed after running the play 20,000 times. JR actually got faster at the end of all those reps.
He also said his starting QB was elite. lol
Good call Hoffer. I was tempted but its friday and not worth the smack talk. lol
Hey MD, maybe JH is right on both accounts and we skip into the SB and win it all! To quote the great MD, “WWWWHHHHHHEEEEEEEEEWWWWW”!! lol
I likes Hof…….Cheers have a great weekend. Gonna head over to see THE ONLY good thing from Oakland beat those Giants. ;-)
MD, the G-Men have been frustrating thus far. I know you are a A’s fan so the inter-league games this weekend will be interesting. It will be breezy all weekend at AT&T so the infielders should be in for a good time! Enjoy the game and have a great weekend!!
…@DS…..I should rephrase that, I am concern about his “mindset” in terms of playing receiver……
Crabtree is a strong, physical with a sprinkle of finesse kinda guy….
In college he was great because he could easily separate from college db’s with his speed and strength ….
….I learn more about Crabtree when he responds to criticism or bad games ……(pretty much the only time he says his mind)
…. Crabs mindset has always been “throw me the ball even when I am covered because I am so good I will make the play”……..
WR come in different shapes, sizes and football mindset or mental make up…..
JR used the ball location to create separation from defender alot…….In my memory of JR career I don’t think I ever saw JR in a jump ball situation, his mindset or game was to always create separation…..
Tim Brown, Donald Driver loved those crossing routes to create separation……
RM, JM, BE were consistent enough in catching jump balls to assume that is part of their game….
Crabtree needs to stop thinking about jump balls and more on separating from DB’s…….
.maybe all this talk about Crab’s hands from JH is true……it could be a dig at Crabtree……..all WR’s have good hands, how the F else will they be in the NFL…..with colts JH played with MH, he was a coach when JR and TB were on the raiders…….
He obviously knows good hands……..and great WR’s
Maybe JH is saying having good hands is really not a complement instead he would like to say Crab is a complete player which includes (good hands, great teammate, great speed, great route runner, great blocker)………a complete number 1 WR should be the description from JH…..
Crabtree – Alex how come you didn’t throw me that ball
Alex – The DB was all over you.
Crabtree – I have good all pro hands
Alex – The DB has hands too
JH (who is a former QB) – Crabtree take it easy, you do have the best hands in the NFL, but just try harder to create a target for your QB, kinda like try separating from the DB……
@oneniner
I have the solution to put an end to both the AS and MC stuff for good.
Get the guys from Silicon Valley to help design special goggles for both AS and MC that display opposite properties.
AS’s will always show the Niners as being down with 2 minutes to go in the 4th quarter. AS is great in pressure moments. Less so in non-pressure moments.
MC’s will always show the time to be in the first quarter of a game. No pressure moments getting him to screw up, just like the NO game 1st quarter.
Get the Niners doctors to mess with each players vision just enough to warrant these goggles which look like everyday goggles to the untrained eye. And we have a first class ticket to the Super Bowl Express for the next decade!
MC and AS will have a great relationship this year. Why? MC is sharing a room with JStaley this year. Good stuff.
PFF pours love on Justin Smith. Ray McDonald gets high marks. The line will dominate this year, too.
http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/05/17/2011%E2%80%B2s-best-performances-3-4-defensive-ends/
Very impressive, Justin maybe the most dominating defensive player last year. Good to see McDonald getting some attention also.
@undercenter:
No maybe about it:
http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/05/03/pff-top-101-of-2011-the-top-10/
correct you are!!
I know you’re trying to be funny but please don’t ever do it at the expense of the late Bill Walsh.
thanks
-sol
LOL Love the D Erickson shot. Classic. Now when you rank Gm’s. Dont forget our great legend T Donahue. Wheew!
Good list Grant.
Mike Tomlin has to receive some recognition as well. Perhaps he is 5b? He is loved by his team, and as someone noted, he has been able to keep the Steelers motivated and contenders every year he’s coached.
I also heard bits and pieces of the Harbaugh KNBR interview. Not surprised that he mentioned Crabtree’ great hands. I have said since the end of the championship game that Crabtree will be our starter in 2012 and beyond. This should put to rest some of the ‘roasting’ Crabtree has received since the afore mentioned game.
Harbaugh has been Crabtree’ biggest supporter. He (Harbaugh) rebuffed the notion that Crabtree was a ‘diva’ and not team oriented. I’m excited about the upcoming season. I believe Alex has the potential to be a pro-bowler in 2012. And if he is, he will bring Crabtree with him!
Go 49ers!
AES,
Harbaugh went so far as to say that Crabtree “has the best hands of any WR I have ever seen.”
You’re right, J.Hammer.
Coming from a coach and former college as well as NFL player that is high praise.
I’m looking for Crabtree to have his ‘breakout’ year in 2012. He can find more success as the #2 slot WR. 85-100 receptions with a 12-15 YPC average would propel him into a top 10 receiver. It wouldn’t hurt to see him get some redemption come the playoffs as well.
This is the same guy who said “Alex is elite.”
I taking this statement about Crabtree with several mountains of salt.
msc,
Yeah, but it is a good way to quiet the Smithers who throw Crabtree under the bus while, parroting the AS “elite” comment from last year.
Harbaugh’s established that he’s a good, maybe great coach. But do we really believe anything he says about any of his players?
Rusty
He isn’t going to say anything negative about anybody. So instead of focusing on what he says, focus on the atmosphere around the place. That will tell you a lot more than JH’s quotes.
The atmosphere to me is saying “We are going to win!”
And keep in mind, what he said about AS was during the regular season with guys trying to take his head off. Not the same thing as MC this past week with no defender even on the field.
If JH’s says the same thing about MC in week 10 or so of the regular season, it will hold a lot more weight than it does in the first practice with no defender near him. Of course we know MC does not have the best hands. But, still. It will mean a lot more.
Bellichick has rode a franchise QB and some really good videotape to some good years. Since they took his camera away, not so much. He’s still a very good coach but nowhere near Walsh. He’s rebuilding his defense now, but once Tom Terrific slips, this is just another team.
Coughlin. Everyone in NY loves Coughlin, and the media plays him up – then he’ll lose 7 games next year, and the same media will want his head on a platter. The one thing he is really good at is getting pass rushers. But that’s not a bad thing to be good at. Especially when you keep running into Tom Brady in Super Bowls.
McCarthy. He is damned good, and his OC is pretty good too, for a guy no one had heard of until last year. He could have a good long run in GB if Rodgers stays healthy, and he gets his defense nailed down.
John Harbaugh. Really, really solid. But until he gets better QB play, He’s just short. Also, while I believe the Ravens still have a little time with Reed and Lewis, it’s running out. He only has a year or two to get over the top with Flacco, or he’ll need to start building his defense again.
Jim Harbaugh. Took a crappy, underachieving, stone age football team from 6-10 to 13-3 in one year. Got a very, very solid season of a QB no one else will take a chance on in FA. Turned a good defense into a great one. If can do as well for his encore this year, he goes to the head of the class.
Grump, good stuff!
Grump…….You forgot his field goal kicker that won those Superbowls for him and Brady. ;-)
MD, you got that right. For those that say TBrady is better than JMo, where is his signature moment??! It seems to me I see *one* of Joe’s every Thursday, Sunday, and Monday night during the season when they show the NFL presentation logo.
Like Jordan fans can say to me as a KB fan………….He never lost in the biggest moments. Sorry TB will NEVER be on the same level as Montana. MJ and KB dont have the records. JM doesnt have the passing records as Marino……The thing that seperates these Greats???????????? CLUTCH PERFORMANCES IN THE BIG MOMENTS. TB was impresive his first year in that Superbowl againts a better StL team, Ill give him that, but his FG kicker finished the game.
@md
“The thing that seperates these Greats???????????? CLUTCH PERFORMANCES IN THE BIG MOMENTS.”
So, why then are so obsessed with how a players stats are?
You know md, that quote is pretty much how I grade players (skill positions are clearly easier to grade). I have said it. A lot. Why then do you constantly go after me when I say the exact same thing? That is my benchmark. Not stats. There is no stat that keeps track of this, and it is likely the only thing that transcends different eras/rules/how the game is played.
First off ds… When didI get the label of being a stat *hore? I have broought up stats when Smith fans would bring up some for the benefit of Smiths mediocre play.
Second I dontknow how long you’ve beenon here, but THE BIGGEST problem Ive had with Smith for years now, is the clutch INT’s he has thrown late in games. Not his other problems but that problem mainly. I dont knowifyou have me mixxed up with someone else, but I bring stats to debunk stats. Ive asked millions of times in the past. “When will Smith win a big game with a clutch performance” The NYG game is when HE not just the defense or Gore or ST won that game. He’s had 2 clutch games last year ds. Hardly enough to start labeling him the next Montana. So dontyou start that again. Or SY. Eeerrrrr
Come now MD, you did say AS would be top 7 this year. lol
6 comeback wins out of 14 total victories md.
Pretty good to me.
And you have consistently been riding the “Top 7 QB’s” deal for a long time. Why not Top 8? There are 8 divisions in football. And why not specify it even more. The best QB in the division. After all, the best QB in each division almost always wins the division. For the Niners specifically, is Alex Smith the best QB in our division? If so, then we will almost be assure of getting into the playoffs. Don’t compare him to Brady and AR or whomever else. First thing first. You need to get into the playoffs to win the Super Bowl. Winning your division assures you of that and at least one home playoff game. And that is the first goal of every team every year. Once you get into the playoffs, anything can happen.
But you focus on TD/INT/3rd down conversion rates/redzone stats/total yards/throwing for 300+ yards in a win/etc.
None of that is remotely relevant to Big plays in big moments in big games. You can be 1/13 on 3rd down, but that 1 conversion was a TD pass in the last minute of the game to win it. The stats will suck, but you will have qualified as “big plays in big moments in big games” so that is your benchmark. He did it. He satisfied your benchmark. Move on.
Oh ds….I see you want to get into this. Since when has Alex Smith been known for being clutch? Never. A couple of games doesnt make you clutch. Where was the clutch performance in the NFC title game? Of course your not going to blame him for that loss, but want to give him credit for the “6″ come from behind wins. Even though the truth is our defense shut down most of those teams and an elite qb would have blown them out. Like the Saints game with a huge lead. But anyways. If you want to make me outto be some stat junkie fine. Copy the proof. WITH the rest of the conversations I was REPLYING to. And what does it matter if he’s 7th or 8th best next year? For Smith to reach that place. He will have to be a whole lotta clutch. Believe that. Come with some truth before calling me out, because if I remember correctly our first problem with each other was over YOU posting up stats on Smith vs Montana. In Montana’s early years. Dont know when your going to get it. Smith isnt safe anymore. There is no 2013 for him unless he steps up the passing game. Those “6″ comebacks obviously werent good enough to keep him here with full certainty. Thats because the FO and most fans know…….The Defense and ST were the main reason for the success. Again Smith will be a top 7 QB and sitting at the Big Boy table. With stats and clutch BIG GAME WINS with his ability, not the defenses. Anything else I can help you with? Or would you like to continue this? Better yet Ill tell you what. Ill let you ramble and Ill start enjoying my weekend and get ready for Sat and Sun games. Have a peachy weekend Ds. Signed- The new Stat *hore WHEEEEEW!!!!!!!!
@md
Nahhh. You denying 6 comeback wins when there were combined with quite a ramble of your own is more than enough.
Why go on when you’ve proven my point?
PS Comeback wins are raw data. QB rating something you have a love affair with is not raw data. Huge difference between the 2. One can be manipulated by adding/subtracting variables. The other is just flat out fact. You can decide which is which.
Next.
…Ninermd the clown…how can u be a fan of a team and report faux facts about the team
Everyone with a brain knows Alex had more than 2 games in regular season where he was clutch…
If you don’t think that NO game was great clutch then its true you are not a true fan but instead a loser with nothing else to do but talk negative about a team you claim to like…
You have nothing to contribute here but negative thoughts. Every year all you talk about is your high expectations of Alex and at the end you give him no credit for his improvements over the years.
Over the yrs your expectations have remained high despite knowing the team lacked other necessary tools to succeed
You are the ultimate hater…you pretend to support the team but instead use your time to “loviate” the QB
You can copy and paste your lame comebacks:
I buy game tickets, you should buy them too, I see your continent from my backyard.
I have been here on the blog long time
I hate you cuz you like Alex
I hate anyone that shows they like Alex
I know Alex isn’t clutch cuz he is not in my top 7
I know he didn’t throw lots of int but I still believe he would throw lots int
I know Alex is not a puerto rican
Eeeeerrrrr
WHEEEEEW
Waiting on those posts ds…. Did you forget your great stats of montana vs smith??? Lol Try and bury the past like you bury your head in your computer and Xbox all day. I love it when you clowns forget and remember what you want. Those times I reminded you about smiths stats when you had the nerve to compare him to sy and jm is when the conversation was about smith being ELITE not CLUTCH… You know when JH the same guy that just came out and said MC has the best hands he’d ever seen , (and you and your computer info said it was KL that said it,)said his QB was elite? Big difference between elite and clutch. Now you can go!
And onelame…. How about I mail you my ticket stubs? And since when does an Alex smith fan only call out 49 er fans? You two are just a daily punch line of a joke. and you claim you have been smacking me for years??? Ha ha with posts like this? Hmmm I remember me and telecat punking you so bad and hurting your feelings all you could do to defend smith was cuss and call names. And got your dumb*ss booted off the blog. Now it seems youve learned a lesson. Instead of getting booted because your an angry little peasant you just disappear for awhile. There is some life on that shoulder bubble. Yeah the saga continues and your still punked daily. I’m going to guess you two were bullied your whole lives and now you can have a say behind a computer. WHEEEW! Now headed over to the park to enjoy my weekend. Have a great weekend and I hope I didn’t leave any marks.
You really need some help md. By the way more than 1 blogger noticed similar stats between 2011 AS and 1981 JM.
Ugh I feel dirty for doing this but I have to stick up for Belichick. The man got an 11 win season from Matt Cassel. He routinely wins with players others have either cast off or ignored altogether. As much as I hate to do it, I can’t agree with the anti Belichick sentiment. The man is one of the best Coaches the game has seen. Seriously, look at the SB’s he’s not only won as HC, but the ones he won with Parcells. He’s won without Parcells; Parcells hasn’t won without him.
Oh and Grumpy, all he did after they took the camera away was have an undeafeated regular season. The man is a great HC. Not a great GM, but a great HC and overall football strategist.
Rocket,
You are absolutely correct. Belichick has also won all of his Super Bowls in the salary cap era, sometimes 49er fans forget that the cap was put in place because of owners like Eddie D. Subpar GM, excellent HC and strategist.
Agree with you here rocket
What non-great HC has won 3 Super Bowls and be the HC in 5?
The spygate thing never got me that mad anyway. If teams are stupid enough to allow some guy with a film camera just shoot them all day long, then they need smarter people working for them.
He is a great coach, but Spygate was pretty shady.
I for one will never underestimate Billichick, spygate or not he is a damn good headcoach.
If your not cheating, you aint trying to win.
Only cheaters say that. Besides, if Spygate wasn’t significant, the commissioner would not have destroyed the evidence.
Big P it was a joke, stop being a tight wad.
LH,
I was joking about only cheaters saying that, but I was serious about the commissioner destroying the evidence. You have to admit, that is shady.
I hate the Patriots and Beiber-haired Brady but Spygate was way over blown. As Jimmy Johnson and others said, every team tapes their opponents’ sidelines. the only difference is other teams do it from the first row of the stands (where it is still legal) instead of from the sidelines. Belichick was guilty of being arrogant and blowing off the league’s memos but I don’t think he gained a significant advantage.
I’d like to reiterate a point: it is still within the rules to tape your opponent from the first row of the stands. Or from anywhere not on the field.
I don’t understand why you would destroy the evidence unless you felt it would severely bring into question the integrity of the game. Seems a little suspicious.
Good point BigP. Only RG knows why he destroyed the evidence. He should have sent it to the Smithsonian. LOL JK
Lol. Right?
Coughlin is not good just at getting pass rushers, but also picking very good receivers. He used to be a receivers coach with the Eagles, Packers and Giants.
@Mood
“He used to be a receivers coach with the Eagles, Packers and Giants.”
Cool. Did not know that. Thanks.
Does Coughlin get credit the draft? I had the feeling Reese runs personnel in New Jersey much like Newsome runs personnel in Baltimore.
@msc
If Coughlin was a WR’s coach, I am sure he has some sort of extra input about which WR’s to draft. And they do have some good WR’s.
Other then the QBs, Justin Smith is one of the 7 most dominate players playing in the game today.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8292eebc/article/calvin-johnson-headlines-seven-most-dominant-players-today?module=HP11_cp
Saw that earlier today – it’s a good article. Hard to argue with the author’s 7 picks.
We get to play 5 of the six remaining players and 4 of them in our first 6 games. We get to be tested early with talent from the opposition.
I’ve been a 49er fan since 1970. And the best coach of all time is Vince Lombardi. He’s in a class by himself.
I certainly agree that JH has not done it long enough for us to KNOW he will be a consistent top 5 HC.
BUT he was named Coach of the year in 2011 and all the other 31 HC’s had the opportunity to win that award but were beaten out by JH,so , the #1 CURRENT HC on paper is JH. Now can he keep coaching up his future teams to show he deserves to stay there ?
Don’t know why John Harbaugh is getting any recognition here. He hasnt won anything and they have a great front office who has provided him with all sorts of talent.
I think Andy Reid should be in this conversation as well.
Your kidding..Right?
John’s team should have been in the Super Bowl this year. And he has helped Flacco really mature.
He has been there for quite awhile and never taken them over the top.
We should have the superbowl but shoulda coulda woulda is just a pipe dream DS.
Actually Latino, didn’t the Raiders turn right around after that Tuck Rule game, and make the Super Bowl the next season?
So, woulda/coulda/shoulda can quickly become”did”.
And the AFC was a lot better. They have the Steelers and Pats oher there. The Steelers are in the same division and are just a tad better. Tomlin is better than John. So, the Ravens were pretty much always relegated to the wild card games which may/may not even be at home.
That makes it a lot tougher job. Just like the Saints during the Dome Patrol days. They were really good. But the Niners were just better, and the Rams were none to shabby either. The Saints would have done better had they not been in the Niners division. Just like the Ravens would have been better if they weren’t stuck with the Steelers in their division.
Latino,
John Harbaugh deserves to be on the list at #5. His teams are consistently top notch. Mike Tomlin should be on the list at #3.
Actually DS the Raiders did come back and got smoked in the superbowl so shoulda could woulda analogy does not apply there.
The league has parity written all over it every single year. Any team can turn it around and contend for a superbowl if it stays healthy and gets hot at the right time. The Cardinals and Seahwaks have done it recently and last year a medicore Giants team in the regular season got hot at the right time and won it.
You cant say the Ravens have not won it because the Pats and Steelers are in the same conference. You gotta beat everyone and you gotta beat the best to win it all and John Harbaugh has not even come close.
The Raiders got to the Super Bowl. That was my point.
Note: The conferences of the Cards and Seahawks. Especially the division. Every year, all but one team in the NFC West pretty much sucks. AZ made the Super Bowl because of LF. And nearly won it because of LF. Once you make the playoffs, anybody can win it. Look at the Giants. And what dynasty teams did the Cards beat to get to the Super Bowl? Both the Pats and Steelers are dynasty teams having won multiple Super Bowls in the last decade. Besides the Giants, nobody else in the NFC has. And most people would say the Steelers/Pats have better teams over the past decade than the Giants have had.
The AFC had better teams until this year.
The Steelers have been a consistent winner for as long as John has been around. No NFC West team has won consistently. Can’t compare Ravens to the Cards/Seattle situation.
DS the Cards made the superbowl that year because of Kurt Warner, not LF. Warner was the best player that year in all of football.
So what if the Steelers were the class of the AFC, you still gotta beta them to move on. Its not like the Steelers were outocoaching everyone, they were just out muscling everyone and besides, the Ravens could never get past the Colts to move on, it wasnt the Steelers they struggled with, it was Manning.
If John Harbaugh was a great coach, he would have come up with ways to beat them like all the great coaches do in getting their teams over the hump, when has John H done that?
Opinion.
When LF didn’t get the ball in the Super Bowl especially, Warner didn’t do anything.
When he got LF the ball, LF nearly won the game amassing like 200+ yards. If Warner did all that, why didn’t the Cards do much when the plays went away from LF then?
And, I am not a Warner fan at all. Great in St. Louis with great WR’s. Stank it up horribly in NY with no great WR’s. Went to AZ with great WR’s and looked great.
Latino
Manning sucks in the playoffs. And was there any great coaches in the NFC during the 80′s other than Bill Walsh?
Come on man. That is like saying there are no great WR’s because none are close to Jerry Rice’s achievements. I mean Taylor would have been a #1 on any other team easily. Does that mean Taylor sucks because he isn’t as good as Rice?
The Ravens have won a lot of playoff games. But it is hard to win the Super Bowl if you have to play 3 playoff games to get there, and be on the road for at least two of them. They are not the Falcons/Colts with their many 1 and dones.
DS, “And was there any great coaches in the NFC during the 80′s other than Bill Walsh?”
Joe Gibbs and Bill Parcells were pretty tough during that time period too.
DS you have a hard time sticking to the arguement in the thread dont you? ADD or what?
The point of this debate is what has John Harbaugh done to prove he is a top 5 coach in the NFL? He has not come close to winning ever with very good teams.
“Manning sucks in the playoffs. And was there any great coaches in the NFC during the 80′s other than Bill Walsh?
Manning sucks, seriously you think everyone sucks if their not a Niner or LF, you need to appreciate good players outside your small world. And of course there were great coaches in the NFC in the 80′s, can you say-Tom Landry, Bill Parcells, Dick Vermeil?
“The Ravens have won a lot of playoff games. But it is hard to win the Super Bowl if you have to play 3 playoff games to get there, and be on the road for at least two of them. They are not the Falcons/Colts with their many 1 and dones”
The Packers did it in 2011, and I beleive the Giants did it last year, all on the road again, both teams, am I wrong?
Latino, The ’07 Giants also fit that description. They won all 3 on the road that year.
Latino
You brought up the Cards/Seattle. You said woulda/coulda/shoulda. That lead to my Raider comment. You don’t say it, I don’t talk about the Raiders. And you talked about Manning/Colts. Tell me again how they matter to the Ravens and John?
Threads evolve. And I never lost sight of the main topic. The Ravens and their HC. Face it, you drove the thread the direction you did just as much as I did. So, it is best not to point such things out.
So, what you are saying is teams should not want to win to get a bye. Just get into the playoffs. Funny, I say the same thing. Scary, isn’t it Latino. Once in the playoffs, anything can happen.
DS says:Tell me again how they matter to the Ravens and John?
John H could never come up with a game plan to beat the Colts and Manning, good coaches do.
For all those good teams John H has had, last year was the only year they came close the the AFC Championship, they can never get over the hump, a lot of that is coaching.
You said the Ravens could never get out of the AFC because the Steelers and Pats have been in there way, actually no, the Colts were the ones that the Ravens could never get past. Regardless my point about the Cards and Seahawks is that there are quality teams across the NFL. Parity allows any team to get hot and make a run. So no team stands in anothers way. If you stay healthy, peak at the right time, home field advantage and playing three playoff games actually means squat, see last years Giants team, 2011 Packers, and as Jack mentioned the 2007 Giants.
Latino, you can add in there the ’06 Steelers as well. Over the last 5 years more SB winners have won 2 road playoff games than the other way around.
Latino
It is clear you hate John. Here is the recent history of the Ravens:
2011 – Won their division and went to the AFC Championship game. Losing to….The Pats.
2010 – Went 12-4 (yeah, really sucky I know) losing to the…Steelers in the divisional playoff game.
2009 – Lost to the Pats in the regular season. Ravens lost to the Colts in the AFC Championship game. Played in Indy.
2008 – Lost to Pitt/Indy in regular season. Ravens went to the AFC Championship game losing to….The Steelers.
So. How many times did the Steelers beat the Ravens in the playoffs? How many times did Indy? Yet, all you want to do is focus on the Indy Colts. The Colts under PM did very little in the playoffs since 2008 (JH’s first year by the way) while the Ravens have won more than a few playoff games in that same span.
By the way John became the HC in 2008. And the Ravens offense was a whole lot worse when he took over than it is today.
You hate the guy. I get it.
here is a quote from wikipedia about the Ravens loss in 2009 to the Colts
“Advancing to the AFC divisional round, they next played the Indianapolis Colts. Two touchdowns late in the first half gave the Colts a 17-3 lead at halftime, and Baltimore miscues in the second half ensured the end of their season, by a 20-3 score.”
And also from wiki
About the Steelers 2009 season (the one where the Ravens lost to the Colts in the playoffs)
“The defending champions began the 2009 campaign in good form, winning six of their first eight matches. However, a major loss came as the Steelers lost Troy Polamalu in Week 1 against the Tennessee Titans. Troy came back in Week 6 against the Browns and played until Week 10 against the Bengals when he reinjured himself in the game. This effectively ended the rest of Troy’s season. But starting in Week 10, things crumbled as Pittsburgh dropped five in a row, including losses to Kansas City and Oakland, two of the league’s weakest teams.”
So, it seems to me that the Ravens could not get past the Steelers until Troy got hurt. Had Troy been hurt, the Steelers in all likelihood win the division. That to me tells me that the Steelers are the the main foe. Not the Colts.
DS just because Im countering your points does not mean I hate John Harbaugh? Where did I ever imply that?
Again you turn the topic to your liking and wonder why people attack and insult you, maybe its because you debate in circles and bring analogies to the thread that are completely unrelated?
Its impossible to have a football conversation with you cause one your all over the map and two, you make reference to things unrelated to the thread.
Yeah the Ravens lost to the Colts and Steelers a bunch of times, my point was John H was not able to get them over the hump against a team that they played over and over again. You would think that after playing the Colts and Steelers a bunch of times in the reg. season and playoffs, a great coach would figure it out and come up with something to get his team over the hump, he has not.
You said it is hard to do it on the road and in 3 playoff games, its been done a lot in the past 5 years.
Do you need to have the final say on this topic or are you going to tell me I just hate the guy or give me another anlaogy form outer space? Just please tell me why is he a top 5 coach, what has he done, what has he won?
You brought up the Colts.
I talked about the Colts. Can’t help it if you were wrong. You randomly brought up the Cards/Seattle/Giants.
I brought up the Steelers and Pats. Two teams who have gotten in the way.
John has won a lot of playoff games. Against really good teams. You don’t do that if you can’t gameplan. You say he didn’t. That is all.
Have a nice day.
Hit the Enter button by accident
Where did you imply John wasn’t very good? Your first reply to me. “He’s never gotten them over the top.”
Well that applies to nearly every single HC who has ever lived. Jim didn’t either. Yet he made Grant’s top 5.
Latino,
You are correct about John Harbaugh being ranked too high. He should be moved to #5, no way is he or Jim better than Mike Tomlin, who didn’t even make the list.
You are also correct in the futility of having a football discussion with DS. I have been following this thread and it went south when he decided to bring up the Raiders out of nowhere.
Don’t mess with DS though. He is the bell cow of hits for this blog. Without his nonsense most of the posts would have about 1/2 the comments they get.
DS, now its about being wrong or right? Well you were wrong that its too difficult to win three playoff games and win a superbowl.
You were wrong that the Pats and Steelers were the only teams in the way of the Ravens winning a superbowl.
And you were wrong in identifying that Manning sucks in the playoff.
You were also wrong in identifying why J. Harbaugh is a top five coach when he hasnt gotten them close to a tittle, let alone an AFC championship tittle.
The problem with you DS94everXev is that you turn everything into a pissing contest and think that mutliple, actually a bizzilion posts constitutes you being right. Its not about that. Its about discussion and proving your point. You ramble and bring up things irreleavant to the original discussion. Like everyone here has said, your impossible to have a football conversation with.
But just because your the blog queen/king, your right Im wrong, that is it, have a nice day.
You didn’t watch the last title game then if you think he was not close.
Have a nice weekend Latino.
DS close is never good enough in the world of the NFL. Its about championships, not almost.
Andy Reid? Nobody has squandered more opportunites as a HC.
He too has never won anything but Reid and the Eagles have been a consistent winning franchise in a tough NFC East division for a long time. He might not be top 5, but if John Harbaugh is, then Reid is in that conversation as well.
Reid was on the hot seat, and had one hell of a “dreamteam” and couldnt even beat out the Giants for that division. Although John H pretty much had this team handed down, he still makes them winners. His brother on the other hand, is pretty much building this team with the same team that failed before. These two Brothers deserve to be on here IMO
Belichick is certainly a top 10 all time coach, but, just as certainly, not #2.
And while Walsh is my favorite as a life-long 49er fan, he is not #1. Lombardi is.
@ grosse
Well, this is kinda Willie Mays/vs/Mickey Mantle………….
I will say that Walsh was an innovator while Lombardi mostly was a perfectionist; making his players execute in minute detailed perfection. They both understood timing as a key to offensive effectiveness. That Walsh brought something new counts with me, but I admit to probably being biased as a Niner Dude.
interesting read, thanks Grant.
on the surface, Belichek has to be the hands down #1 given the SB’s etc.
but as i think of McCarthy – who i hate in the way i’ve hated great adversaries of the Niners in the past – i wonder, can he do it without a great qb?
the old saw is that every great coach had a great quarterback, and as much as I care to research it, i think it’s true. you might say that Dilfer and Brad Johnson won SBs, but last i checked, neither performance has been good enough to catapult Gruden or Billick into the “great coach” category, likely Hall of Famers – in fact, neither one of them has coached in a few years.
so, Harbaugh has turned the Niners from chicken, er, remains, to chicken salad in a year, without a great quarterback. if he can continue to put up great years without a Starr, Layne, Montana, Bradshaw, Unitas, etc, then you might argue he’d be the greatest of all. ok, he can’t be that, because Walsh’s offense was a revelation, and when you win SBs and change the game, you’re “great” as in “Mt Rushmore” great.
looked at another way, a pessimist might even think that given that a coach “can’t” be great without a great QB (and we’re talking HOF quality), then it might suggest that a smart guy like Harbaugh would be on the lookout for a better qb, just in case Alex has plateaued
oh, wait a minute: he did, by going after Peyton Manning.
so maybe Harbaugh plans on being great, and plans on doing everything that entails.
@fesnyc
Bradshaw would be the biggest Pro Alex guy on the blog if he posted. He loves the guy. Says he can’t get over how AS has learned all these systems each year. He could barely manage 1.
I hate the Belichik/Walsh comparisons. Twenty years from now what system will defenses or offenses be using that was designed by Bill Belichik? The guy is a good coach that has had one of the best QB’s of all time. Yes so did Walsh but Walsh was a true pioneer in the sport and made significant changes to the landscape of NFL offenses, something that Belichick will never be known for. Belichick will be known for his Superbowl appearances(Walsh never lost in any of his trips) and for his cheating. When Brady is gone Belichik will retire also and we’ll never truly know just how good of a coach he truly was…unless you want to count the years in Cleveland when he didn’t have Tom Brady and his teams sucked.
@hank
11-5 without Tom Brady
BW also retired having never had another QB once JM became the starter. I don’t know how many HC’s have won Super Bowls with 2 different QB’s, but Seifert did here.
Most HC’s only have 1 starting QB. Mike Holmgren in GB only had 1. And in Seattle, he had primarily a run first offense with Shaun Alexander.
DS, “BW also retired having never had another QB once JM became the starter.”
Are you not counting all of the starts by DeBerg, Cavanaugh, Kemp, and Young during Walsh’s time as head coach?
Cavanaugh, Kemp, and Young all led the team to wins in Montana’s absence during those great years in the 80′s.
Thats true Jack….. As the annoying Gary R would say. Great knowledge
At One o clock I posted here that Harbaugh tells outrageously funny jokes..so,why does Lowell’s questions seem to throw him?..And what did Harbaugh say later on KNBR?..he told that super corny,yet outrageous(coming from the likes of him) joke about being a fun guy.
How do I do it? HOW?…lol…
Super Stan!! You are a freakin GENIUS!!!! The likes of which no one can match on this blog.
Stan, JH obviously reads your comments – pure genius!!
LOL I heard that. Why did the Cucumber hang out with the Mushroom? I was shocked when i heard that joke. Laughed but didnt think JH was that type of interview
KLynch didn’t initially get it. Too focused on getting a scoop! JK
Thats true Hof, and JH asked him. “Did you even get a laugh”? repeated it and then that big dummy got it. lol I might be the only guy who actually likes KL. Ok Im really out of here now. Costco bound for the weekend. ;-)
Seriously, Dennis Erickson? You have the nerve to defile this blog with that name?
#StopCohn
:-D
@msc
Flip-flopper
: – )
I put Mike Tomlin number 3 since it is all about what you did for me today. Harbaugh moved to number 6 but that can all changed next year. You can argue that Erickson, Nolan and the Rev could be in the top 10 worst coaches ever.
Belichik is no Bill Walsh, along with his cheating and spygate. No way Jose.
Sorry if this is old news, not reading or posting much. Watching NHL playoffs. Anyway Harbaugh says that Crabtree has the best hands he has ever seen. Not best receiver but best hands. Maybe Crabs is a hand model on the side. Does this quote go along with AS being a elite QB.
http://www.csnbayarea.com/football-san-francisco-niners/niners-talk/Harbaugh-Crabtree-has-best-hands-Ive-eve?blockID=710336&feedID=2800
I don’t think near enough has been made of Smith holding Camp Alex at his own expense. I like Harbs, but do we have a 13-3 record if his trust is misplaced in Smith to be a consummate professional due to being a Free Agent. On top of that what if it was just a workout regimen? Having seen the NFL after lockout mode previously, some teams just didn’t rebound from it. Teams that went to the Playoffs the year before. 9ers didn’t bounce back immediately from it and they were the Super Bowl contenders.
I think Alex Smith was a HUGE part of the success of this team last year despite all the criticism. So I wouldn’t be quick to put Harbs top 5. Also Tom Coughlin? 2 lucky bounces sent the Giants to the Super Bowl. The NFC East is always a tough Division to play in. You’re a top 5 coach when you can Own Home Field having beaten those teams consistently. Not when you basically have to light a fire under your team in desperation of not making the Post Season.
Also if Harbs is out so is Coughlin. Harbs should have a 2-0 record against Coughlin. Yeah the Giants had the lead at the final gun but there was no coaching magic there. Just captained the ship that was under him. Could and should have gone down with it in the Championship game.
I would pick Bellicheat, John Harbaugh, Mike McCarthy, Top 3.
Andy Reid 4
and Gary Kubiak.
I know that seems odd. But look at what Kubiak and Reid bring to the table.
Reid’s teams are almost ALWAYS in the Playoff hunt. 4 Championship Games in a Row? That’s consistent at least and he’s basically the Iggles OC.
If someone were to say you can only have one of these guys to coach the 9ers(god forbid) Coughlin or Kubiak? I can’t say that I would choose Coughlin. His teams are consistently off an on and more off than on. Kubiak posts a reasonable record in a Division that had Peyton Manning in it. His players are always fired up, while at one point Players were bailing on Coughlin. Nothing fixes that like success. But man I wouldn’t want to see the other side of the coin with some sustained disappointment.
I guess for Coughlin it’s best to be lucky than top 5. But he’s not top 5. I’d sooner put Tomlin ahead of Coughlin even having been swept by the Harbaughs’.
An remember I’m workin within your structure of no Shannahan(disagree with you there but I am biased) and no Fischer. ;)
Ermm.. the offense did jack squat for the 49ers last year. One of the worst offenses in the league.
I can see doubting Harbaugh but I’d give the credit to Fangio rather than Camp Alex. The defense carried this team. And David Akers of course.
I wonder where the offense would have ranked without Camp Alex.
Big P, MSC, Hilarious! Camp Alex, 13-3. Thank goodness for camp Alex. Yeah right! Why do we need Harbaugh when we could just run camp Alex part II!
This is the NFL, teams dont get away being one dimensional anymore like they did 5 years ago. If you have a poor element of your game, it gets exposed. You dont win 14 games with just your defense and a kicker.
Only a wanna be football fan would think that a team could win 14 games with only a defense and a kicker. Sometimes I wonder if people on here actaully watch the games.
By saying the 49ers had no offense your basically saying that Vernon, Gore, Crabs, Alex did zero to nothing in contributing to a great bounce back season from the 49ers.
@Prime
Here are some absolute facts.
The Niners won a lot of games in which they were tied or behind in the 4th quarter. However good our D/ST were, they weren’t good enough to hold onto the lead. This after our offense had the fewest TO’s in the NFL and how many Int’s did AS throw in the 4th quarter all year long?
Fact is, the Niners needed the offense to show up in big moments. That means AS. And, the Niners offense did show up. That means AS.
10 times the Niners were down/tied in the 4th quarter. 6 of those times AS lead the Niners to victory. How many TD’s did the D/ST get in the 4th quarter in those games to win them? None (Seattle the Niners were ahead the whole 4th quarter I believe). Where was Justin Smith’s TD from a fumble recovery or PW’s return Int for a TD i nthe 4th quarter? Thus, AS must have done something good. And good as in something more than not doing anything bad.
Those are the facts. Don’t forget them while wading thru the endless “our QB/offense sucks” posts. Lots of people don’t like facts since they get in the way of what they want things to be.
Thanks for that DS but seriously you don’t have to reply to everyone’s comment all the time. A sit back and let others debate might be something you want to consider sometimes.
If I have something I have to say, I’ll say it. If not, I won’t.
@msclemons:
For a smart guy, you write some dumb comments.
You obviously have a lot to say about everything then.
@Claude you actually think the 49ers’ offense was good in 2011? The running game racked up volume stats but wasn’t very efficient. The passing game was, well, we’ve been there and done that. There’s a reason the majority of the offseason was spent upgrading the passing attack.
The offense did do a good job of not losing. They stayed out of the way while the D/ST did their thing – like David Akers setting the record for field goals.
Msc,
The goal of an offense is to put points on the board. The 9er offense was 11th overall in points scored. I don’t care how anyone wants to spin it; the offense was not terrible. Conservative at times? Absolutely, but when you rank top 3rd in the league in points scored you are not a terrible offense I’m sorry.
The Defense was great, and gave the offense some short fields throughout the season, but the offense did their part and won some games themselves. It was the combination that led this team to 14 wins; not one or the other.
msclemons:
You said: the offense did jack squat for the 49ers last year.
That’s not a particularly intelligent comment. In addition to the points made by rocket, I will add that the 49ers’ offense did an excellent job of managing field position. It rarely, if ever, forced the defense to defend a short field. In addition, for all of the offense’s 3rd down problems, the 49ers’ averaged +4 minutes of possession over their opponents.
I am not arguing the 2011 offense was great. I am saying, however, that your “did jack squat” claim willfully ignores what actually happened last year.
Claude-It rarely, if ever, forced the defense to defend a short field.
Maybe because we have the best punter in the NFL?
@Latino Heat:
Sure, that was a big part of it. So was the offense’s league low number of turnovers.
Your right Claude, it was a total team effort that got us 14 wins last year. Saying that it was one or the other is not realistic. Sure the defense is top 5 in the NFL, but we are a team on the rise in all facets. Next year we will need our offense to play at a higher level. That is how this team is built, to rely on all three phases to get it done.
@Claude I guess I have higher expectations than you.
Not screwing up doesn’t equal performance in my book. Anyone can avoid blowing it if they don’t attempt anything.
“Jack squat” is hyperbole, much as “Alex Smith had a HUGE impact” is. Limited attempts to avoid screwing the pooch is not a huge impact. That’s simply staying out of the way.
There is no argument the offense was the weakest link on the 2011 49ers.
Lemons it was 11th in the league in scoring and whether that’s Ackers or Alex and the offense, the bottom line is points and winning.
You wanna be critical and say it was the weak link, that’s an overstatement. That offense never cost them games, it put them in positions to win games. Its wasn’t spectacular, it wasnt meant to be, it was meant to be efficient!
Give it this offseason and you’ll be changing your tune.
@msclemons:
I guess I have higher expectations than you.
Really, what were your expectations before last season started? I’ll bet the 49ers exceeded them.
Not screwing up doesn’t equal performance in my book. Anyone can avoid blowing it if they don’t attempt anything.
Sure, but that isn’t close to an accurate description of last season.
There is no argument the offense was the weakest link on the 2011 49ers.
By definition, one of them had to be the weakest link. Doesn’t mean it was weak.
..”I think Alex Smith was a HUGE part of the success of this team last year despite all the criticism. So I wouldn’t be quick to put Harbs top 5. “…
I am with you on that point…
Alex protecting the ball the way he did with low ints and taking sacks had a lot to do with our wins and losses…I am not sure the team would have had the same results with another QB who had no previous chemistry with the team and the bad experience of high ints..
‘oneniner’
Alex desrves his kudos no doubt. Yes, he did play a big part in the teams success. But (trying to keep it civil here) to contend that he might have been the only QB capable of leading the team because of chemistry or previous bad experience is a stretch.
I can think of at least 4-6 QB’ who could have accomplished (and even surpassed) what AS did.
We had about 5 defensive players who finished in the top 10 among defense catagories. Two of the best LB’s, an elite player in Justin Smith, a pro-bowler in C.Rogers, and perhaps one of the best rookie seasons a player could have in Aldon Smith. All this equals an ELITE DEFENSE anyway you want to cut it.
And above all; Harbaugh and Co. get huge props for developing a formula that utilized Alex’ skill level.
I said a couple of days ago that if continues his development in this second season under the Harbaugh plan, he could become an pro-bowl QB.
I borrow Hofer’ adage; all arrows up!
…lets look at it…
chemistry – Alex is familiar with everyone on offense, camp Alex also confirms his comfort level with the players; to run a camp with no coaches……….
bad experience of ints – The way he played showed he was all about ball security no matter what anyone says or criticize him ………
…if we had brought any of those new 4-6 QB’s you talk about:
1. with the lockout the QB will need time to build chemistry
2. a new QB will need to build chemistry which will require unnecessary passes that will result in more ints……(Alex already went through his unnecessary passes – see 2010 season pass to crabtree against seahawks that was tipped and int : 2011 season passes to crabtree were more precise and less anticipated…..until 2011 Alex passes to davis were never anticipated or thrown to a spot on the field, the deep go routes always led davis to the safety in the middle of the field: 2011 the big plays to davis were placed in a spot which was cuz he ran more post and crossing routes)…
…there is a growth there, the 4-6 QB’s you bring will lack….
…..without Alex we don’t get that much wins in the regular season……and we don’t win that playoff game vz NO…..
we needed a cold blooded QB, who didn’t care about what people said and was familiar with the players = Alex is the only choice.
I know Bobby Petrino has had his ups and downs, but when we look at the…… ehhhhhhh, Just kidding. LOL!!!
Petrino nailed a coed on his motorcycle. Can’t hate that.
He looked like Fire Marshall Bill after the crash…..”Lemme show ya somethin!”
http://i.usatoday.net/sports/_photos/2012/04/09/Will-winning-save-Arkansas-coach-Petrino-8C19DUTT-x-large.jpg
Fire Marshall Bill….Classic. But this is probably more indicative of where Petrino is heading:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3K1LZ1592bs
BigP, LMMFAO!!!!! I had the mental picture when I read your post and chuckled … then, when I clicked on the link, I busted out laughing!!!! He got a lil raspberry there, lol!!! GOOD ONE BigP!!!
Guap&Rocket,
Lmao! If you know of Fire Marshall Bill, you appreciate his legend. It’s amazing how much talent that show had on it for a few years.
HAHA!! No Doubt BigP!! However, This Fella was up there, with Fire Marshall Bill, as one of my favorite ILC characters. He also reminds me of a few posters here on this blog, LOL!!!!
Lmao! He does remind me of a few of the posters here. I started to laugh even harder when I thought about it while watching the clip. Aaahhhh yes, the late 80′s-when Arsenio reigned supreme for about two years. Speaking of things that make you say “Hmmmmmmmm.”
Actually, Belichick has won five Super Bowls and been to seven. You’re forgetting his time under Parcells in New York.
Mr. Crabs the best hands I’ve ever seen?
Aaarrg…those meaty claws.
Wow, this is all new information to me. Never heard anything about this… who are these guys?
#StopCohn
Nice work. Very original, on topic & in context. Thanks for your contribution.
@brotha
Your avatar is perfect for the reply you gave here. lol
By The Way: anybody around Petaluma might want to stop by today. Street party downtown w/ 7 blocks of gorgeous classic cars displayed. Music and street vendors and the American Graffiti Boulevard Cruise this evening, and Lagunitas Brewery has a festival going on in town also. I went downtown this morning and headed back this afternoon.
NinerMD and MSC,
I really hope you were joking when you said that Lynch [subbing for Fitz and Brooks - btw, how do those clowns have a job?] didn’t get Harbaugh’s “joke” the first time. He got it, all right. The only time that joke is funny, is when your six year old tells it to you. The joke was so bad that Lynch didn’t know what to say. Then Harbaugh was so clueless as to how unfunny it was, he pressed Lynch as to why he didn’t laugh. To which Lynch responded, “I chuckled and I was laughing inside.” Then Harbaugh repeated the joke and Lynch said, “Ohhhhh, noooowww I get it,” and then let out a loud fake laugh. Maybe that’s what led you to believe that Lynch didn’t get the joke the first time. Sorry, but that’s called sarcasm. Listen to the interview again, maybe you’ll get it the second time.
I’m just glad Harbaugh is a thousand times a better HC, than he is a stand up comedian.
Apologies, MSClemons, bad memory on my part. It was Hofer who was commenting with MD. Sorry for the mistake.
Take it easy dude. Now you want to argue over a corny joke and Kevin fn lynch???? Have a drink and relax.
I thought it was a funny joke, made funnier by Lynch’s cluelessness. But then again I am 6 years old according to my wife.
*that if AS*
MD, seen you mention something about the A’s vs. Giants yesterday.
Not a big A’s fan. Even during their great 70′ era. I did like the Billy Martin regime, but only because he (B.Martin) was a friend of the family having grown up in Berkeley and playing at Kenny Park.
I grew up with my Giant’s hero’s Willy Mays, Willy McCovey, Jimmy ‘Ray’ Hart, Jim Davenport, Juan Marichal, Bobby Bonds all the way through the Barry Bonds era to the present.
While many will ostricize Barry’ use of HGH, I personally give him a pass because MLB rode the ‘sin’ all the way to the bank. Players like Sammy Sosa and Mark McGuire were inducing themselves with HGH during this time and the MLB profited big time.
That’s why I give Barry a pass. Also, I don’t believe an average Barry Bonds would have brought much interest to the prospect of a new ballpark. AT&T is the park that rode on the coatails of Barry Bonds.
Anyway, that’s my ‘soapbox’ offering on the Giants.
I guess it’s also time for a new topic if the convo has turned to baseball.
Jose Pagan, Chuck Hiller, Ed Baily, Tom Haller, Felipe Alou, Stu Miller, Harvy Keane, Orlando Cepeda, Gaylord Perry,
The hated Dodgers: Koulfax, Drysdale, Roseboro, Maruy Wills, Jim Gilliam, Frank Howard, Willie Davis, Tommy Davis.
…..”In an interview that will air Monday on 95.7 The Game in San Francisco, Owens says he’d like to play for the 49ers or the Raiders.”……..
NEXT WEEK: Jim Harbaugh explains in a humorous style “Why the chicken crossed the road”.
He’s another Richard Prior.
You’re a real piece of work stanley…
‘oneniner’
Alex was ‘cold blooded’ in the playoff game against the Saints. He was by all accounts the best player on the field that day. We all seen what AS is capable of in that game no doubt, which gives me hope for the future.
But I believe that 4-6 other QB’ would have found success in this offense simply because not much was being asked of the QB. Basically, go out there and play without making any mistakes seemed to be the credo.
I said during the week that another year under the Harbaugh regime should propel AS to pro-bowl status. Harbaugh will likely have Alex open things up just a bit to take advantage of our new WR’s. Alex’ numbers should hike-up from last year, but more importantly (for me at least), is that by the end of next season I would have to agree with you that only Alex could drive this Farreri.
I believe that 4-6 other QB’ would have found success in this offense simply because not much was being asked of the QB.
I would love to read who these other QB’s are that could have done a better job than Alex, but to keep it realistic, it has to be QB’s that were available either through free agency or the draft, otherwise its a wishing well analogy, please enlighten me?
You got me there Latino Heat. The 4-6 QB’ were/are not available. But that does not change my statement and belief.
But for the sake of humoring me, or argument (since it’s only my opinion) here is my list.
1. Aaron Rodgers
2. Drew Brees
3. Tom Brady
4. Eli Manning
5. Ben Rothlisberger
6. Philip Rivers
Again, just my opinion. And I base it solely on the low-risk type offensive scheme created by Harbaugh to custom fit Alex’ skill level.
Like all the haters I like to play fantasy world too. I wish for a 25 yearold Joe Montana at QB, Reggie White at DE and myself on the corner with Tim MacDonald at safety.
Anyone can speculate AES about who would be better than Alex but this is what the organization has decided to go with. The front office, coaches have all hitched their wagon to Alex, you and others may disagree but I think as a fan it’s way better to believe than try to disagree. That should be on a T-shirt!
Never said I disagreed with the Org’s decision to go with AS. I simply stated an opinion prime. You’re correct in making yours as well. Once again, it’s not a rub against AS. Like I said, my opinion is based on the low-risk offensive scheme devised by Harbaugh.
Can you tell me that you don’t think any of the QB’ I mentioned would not have succeeded?
Alex did a very good job last season, no argument there. But as I said earlier, we had 5 defensive players finish in the top 10 in defensive catagories. And working off my ‘speculation list’ there is a definitive short list of players who could do what our defensive players did.
..Prime…lets assume its not a “haters rub against AS”….
AES – All those QB’s you mentioned would have taken more chances with the ball……to receivers they never had chemistry with…..a requirement for their success would have been high-risk decisions….
the low-risk offensive scheme devised by Harbaugh needed a QB who already was familiar with the receivers and was not going to take crazy chances with the ball…..
All the QB’s you named are total opposite of what the offense needed…….(not that they suck but in the offense last year they would have)
…am with Latino……lets keep it realistic, lets go with QB’s that were available either through free agency or the draft…..
…….Alex was the best and only choice at QB in the 2011 season that would have produced the same success…..
…so he gets extra huge credit for doing his job perfectly just like the D, SP, JH, TB gets credit for doing theirs……
AES you picked the best QB’s in the league, of course, how easy is that?
Oneneiner said it best, Alex is the best option right now for this team, the sooner everyone figures that out and stops playing fantasy football, the better the discussions will get.
Agreed Latino Heat. I also agree with ‘oneniner’ 6:32 take. Chemistry has huge bearing on a team’s success. And hey, once again no slant against AS. He rose above and beyond to make it happen in 2011.
But I reiterate, and yes i’m going with as ‘prime’ said ‘total speculation’ here, that it is just my opinion the QB’ mentioned could have equaled and in some cases surpassed what AS accomplished last season.
I believe ‘oneniner’ hit the nail on the head with the fact that AS gave to the offense a big plus with his Alex Camp I and II. So AS must get huge props for being pro-active in bringing players together during the strike shortened TC.
My ‘take’ although hypothetical, is that had Harbaugh had any of the QB’ mentioned, he would have still had great success. The chemical balance may have been somewhat skewed at first, but by mid-season the team would have been cohesive and offensively potent. I believe Harbaugh may have modified his offensive scheme to accomodate any one of these QB’ to reach their optimum potential.
The FACT is, that he did this with AS and that bodes well for the future, especially now that AS (perhaps the brightest mind in the NFL) has a good handle of the offense.
All Good! guys…
So AES, the $1.50 dollar question, would the Niners have won the superbowl with those QB’s you mentioned?
I’m going to post under another name to balance the stop Cohn’s guy. I’m going to post under “The more Cohn’s the better”.It even has a nice ring to it. Take that, you anti semites.
Brown nose..
Thanks..coming from you, I’m proud.
….And that you don’t get it makes it better!
I’m jumping into the conversation late, but I’d replace Jim Harbaugh and replace him with Mike Tomlin on your list. I just think we need more of a body of work from him to put him in there, but the first year was great.
I’m coming in late too, but Harbaugh = GOD.
Head Coaches? I won’t forget McCulley or O’Connor ca. 1978. Stanky….
No new posts for the last two hours?
It might be a record…oop.
Latino Heat says:
May 20, 2012 at 11:52 am
“So AES, the $1.50 dollar question, would the Niners have won the superbowl with those QB’s you mentioned?”
Here’s my $1.50 cents worth Latino Heat. YES
I didn’t realize AES that all those QB’s could return punts cause to any 49er fan, we all know that if K.Williams doesnt fumble, we would have won the SB.
Now that is totally hindsight, but at least it’s not as far fetched as yours in saying if the Niners had those QB’s we would have won.
Fact is this team is more than capable without those QB, actually it might be better chemistry wise, salary cap wise, and proving all the doubters wrong wise. I can’t wait til next year when that offense explodes and hear everyone say, “well I was wrong”
No argument here prime. I said a couple of months ago that if don’t muff those punt returns in the championship game we could have handed the Pat’s their lunch in the Superbowl. Yes, that is with AS as our QB. But once again, all just speculation prime.
..I am with Prime…. (I understand to an extent it is all speculations) but those other QB’s could not have had similar success…..based on those two things I pointed out.
1. chemistry
2. throw less ints
AES you pointed is out yourself – without camp….”The chemical balance may have been somewhat skewed at first, but by mid-season the team would have been cohesive and offensively potent. “……
so lets look at the first half of the season….we were 7-1 after game 8……….in none of those games did Alex throw a int or fumble that could have cost us the game……
with a new QB last year it is guaranteed we lose more than one game in the first 8 games…..again based on lack of chemistry and the fact the QB will take risky chances in the name of learning…….
KK is a good example of a QB who landed on a team who also had a good defense and ST, but you could say with the lack of chemistry and wanting to prove that he was worth the big contract…….he was unable to be successful.
…its easy to give credit to scheme and coach especially based on what we have seen in ninerland for years…..but bottomline is AS mental makeup and the chemistry he already had …..were just as important to the success we had….
“I can’t wait til next year when that offense explodes and hear everyone say, “well I was wrong”
Now let me think, where have I heard that before. Oh yea, from every Alex Smith fan for the past 7 years off seasons. Clearly a lot has changed. I guess you all can expect someone to suddenly become something they aren’t but I’d rather have realistic expectations.
….”guess you all can expect someone to suddenly become something they aren’t but I’d rather have realistic expectations.”
….bet before last year you would have sworn Alex couldn’t win a playoff game……against elite Drew Brees
…….having a realistic expectations of Alex is not something expected of you because you just can’t do it…….stick with doubting Alex, that works well for us all…..
Hank scorpio I think you will be hearing that same old tune for awhile as Smith starts to get better and better under this regime. Keep in mind he is only 28 yearsold and hasnt even scratched the surface yet.
If people cannot admit the dramatic season Smith had last year, they have been blinded by their ego. I expect another dramatic improvement in his game because he has a lot more “legit” weopons, always working to get better, and no one wants to win more than him. How else do you explain what the guy has endured and overcome?
If you dont believe it, dont bother watching. Us real fans will be here when the W’s start accumalating.
…the W’s are piling up already
If we had won the NFC Championship Game, Alex would have earned his 15th win as a starter last season, four fewer than he had from 2005-10. With a win, Smith’s career record as a starter would have improved to..… 34-34.
…next year he will have a winning record, something the haters will not be happy about…
…other notes…..”Alex entered that game without having thrown an interception in his past 201 attempts, a streak that began in the second half of a 16-6 loss to the Ravens on Thanksgiving”…………
..“So AES, the $1.50 dollar question, would the Niners have won the superbowl with those QB’s you mentioned?”
I say NO…….I doubt playoffs also…..
apart from
1. chemistry
2. throwing less ints
Alex also knew the division opponents defense better than the QB’s on those teams……am sure all those years playing against them gives him a feeling of comfort on what to expect from them…….
Can’t argue against your points ‘oneniner’ because they are factual. But even if the (speculated QB’) would have gone 5-3 in the first half of the season (due to lack of chemistry), and found cohesiveness in the second half and finishing at 11-5 or 10-6, I believe they could have been playing in the SP. But that’s just one man’s opinion. But once again, I can’t argue with your primise. Alex has proven that he is ready for the next level.
On to 2012. We have a tougher schedule this season which will only sharpen our team and better prepare us for the Superbowl .
……I know football is all about what you did on the field…….but you just have feel good sticking with Alex since day one……after reading the article below….
…..http://blog.sfgate.com/49ers/2012/05/16/mind-games-smiths-work-with-house-wasnt-all-mechnical/…..
…”House helped Brees minimally with throwing mechanics and significantly with the underpinnings of leadership. “Drew wants to please people,” says House. “He cares too much. He needed to learn that you can’t be everything to all people.” What Brees took from the sessions was this: “I was too nice a guy, as a leader. I had this tendency that if people were doing things wrong, I would try to make up for it instead of calling them out. And that will burn you out.
Does that sound like any nice-guy quarterback you know? ..”
….”There were a few signs last year that Smith had become a slightly edgier leader. Left tackle Joe Staley admitted he was surprised when Smith scolded him for arguing an official’s call during a win against the Steelers. Smith, who was trying to get his teammates back in the huddle, told his buddy: “Staley, shut the f-up and get over here!’””…
That’s one of the areas in Alex’ growth I’ve been waiting for. Glad to hear this.
LOL A 49er blogger thinks his coach of 1 YEAR is a top 5 coach. You fans are delusional!!!
Zzzz…
Maybe the niners should throw a NFC west victory parade with Harbaugh as the grand marshal!
Name 5 coaches who did a better job last year.
1 year does not make a career. I like JH a lot. He will be one of the best but I need to see it for more than 1 year.
23 always waiting and holding out til Alex and now coach prove it. Stick to being a Raider fan and stay on their sites.
No way a 49er fan has doubt about Jim Harbaugh after what he did last year. Beat it!
After languishing in football wilderness for 10 years, I would be at the head of the parade! (lol) That’s a delusion I could easily live with.
I just logged onto the blog, that thought was about discussing / arguing the top 5 HC’s in the NFL, and much to my surprise, the discussion turned to guess who…..Grant, how about posting a blog grading the hottest cheerleading squads in the NFL…..maybe the discussion thread would stay wiht the subject matter….but,I digress….no way.
Someone said to name 5 coaches that are better then Harbaugh…Easy. Theres already 4 on the list so I’ll name some others that have done well for more then 1 year.
ALL THESE COACHES BELOW ARE BETTER THEN HARBAUGH TODAY
Mike Smith- Falcons, Turned team into perennial winner with multiple playoff appearances.
Mike Tomlin- Steelers, 2 Super Bowl wins and multiple winning season.
Love Smith- Bears, Has been to a Super bowl and his team is always competitive.
Jeff Fisher- STL, Turned Tennessee into a legit contender minus a couple down years, but he’s also been to a Super Bowl.
Rex Ryan- NY Jets, Rex has turned the Jets into competitors every year.
Mike Shanahan- DC, Won Super Bowls and always brought respect to the Broncos, building a solid team in DC now.
Ken Wisenhunt- Arizona, Made the Cards more competitive and brought the Cardinals to their first Super Bowl.
Jon Fox- Has been to a Super Bowl and has always had competitive teams.
Andy Reid- Eagles, The guy is a great coach. PERIOD.
Sean Payton- New Orleans, Payton is a great coach. Super Bowl and perennial winner.
Norv Turner- San Diego, San Diego is always competitive.
Its assassin to even suggest Jim Harbaugh is a top 5 coach! Theres being a homer and THERES BEING A HOMER. Whoever came up with this list is delusional and drunk off the Harbaugh flavored koolaid. Come back down to earth and take the 1 13-3 season in context. 49er fans need to be cautiously optimistic about next season on….Nothing wrong with thinking you’ll do well but going into a season absolutely blinded with lust thinking no one can beat you is a slippery slope and the let down is horrible. Hope SF realize that they have some steep competition in Seattle and Arizona possibly.
*asinine
Mike Smith? What did he do in the playoffs? If the list is limited to 5 HC’s, playoff games matter a lot more than regular season games.
And, I’m sorry. JH was coach of the year. Some of these other guys may have been as well. I don’t know. But, JH’s achievements are most recent. So are more relevant than somebody winning an award say 5 years ago.
Jim was given the same basic team as the previous HC. And won 7 more games (more than double!) and led the dysfunctional team to become the most complete team in the NFL without any real off-season! The Super Bowl champs freely admit that the Niners were the toughtest team they played. Not the Falcons (Mike Smith) or Green Bay (McCarthy) or Pats (Billicheat) in the playoffs. That means a lot.
Key word, is YEAR. He had a good YEAR! Mike Smith has accomplished more in Atlanta than Harbaugh in 1 year. Hell, Harbaugh MIGHT be in the middle of the pack when it comes to coaching based on 1 year.
PUT
DOWN
THE
CRACK!
Its 1 year!
Jim Harbaugh will go down as the best coach ever when it’s all said and done.