Praise for Mike Heimerdinger and Smack for Herm Edwards

[-Slap-]

This was written by a Jet loyalist from Scout.com named Dan Leberfeld on January 6th. He was happy the Jest dumped Edwards and he was hopeful they would promote Dinger to the top job.

The case for Heimerdinger

According to the New York Daily News, Jets owner Woody Johnson isn't in favor of promoting offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger to head coach.

No reason was given.

This is very surprising. Heimerdinger is a terrific head-coaching candidate with an outstanding resume. He was a runner-up for the San Francisco 49ers' opening last year.


Why is Johnson not in favor of hiring Heimerdinger? It's hard to say because this is just a rumor, and Johnson hasn't commented publicly. But if I were to hazard a guess, a major reason why Johnson might not support "Dinger" is that the Jets' offense ranked 30th in the NFL this season.

Maybe Johnson and others in Jets camp think it would be a tough sell to the fans promoting a coach who lorded over such a low-ranked offense.

If that is the case, Johnson needs to look beyond it. He doesn't have to sell anything to the fans. His team is sold out on a season-ticket basis with a lengthy waiting list.

Johnson's situation is similar to that of an elected official. Unlike Bill Clinton, good elected officials don't govern by polls. You have to do what's right. And if it's the correct decision, the masses will be with you in the long run.

Heimerdinger can't be judged by the performance of the Jets offense in 2005. He was dealt a terrible hand, made even worse by his boss - Herman Edwards.

The Jets offense was ravaged by injuries this year. It was very hard for Heimerdinger to install his new system with all the key players that were sidelined - including quarterbacks Chad Pennington and Jay Fiedler and offensive linemen Kevin Mawae and Jason Fabini. And let's not forget the season-ending injuries to wideout Wayne Chrebet and tight end Chris Baker.

But to make matters worse, Edwards forced Heimerdinger to start immobile 42-year-old signal-caller Vinny Testaverde behind a patchwork offensive line. It was a horrendous decision that had disastrous results, especially in the Buffalo and Atlanta games.

On top of that, Edwards forced Heimerdinger to use injured tailback Curtis Martin, who clearly wasn't 100 percent since a Week Two knee injury. But this didn't stop Edwards from playing Martin all the way until the Week 14 game against New England. Martin rushed for 29 yards on 14 carries against the Patriots, before he finally said he couldn't run anymore. His backup, Cedric Houston, ran well in the last three games and clearly should have replaced Martin earlier.

So when you have issues at perhaps your two most important positions on offense, exacerbated by a head coach who thinks with his heart more than his head, how can you possibly judge Heimerdinger by the job he did in 2005? You can't Mr. Johnson, if that is indeed why you reportedly aren't considering Heimerdinger for the job.

This cat can flat-out coach football, and is a lot more prepared to be a head coach than Edwards was when he took over the Jets. Heimerdinger has more than 30 years coaching experience. Edwards had served 11 years as an assistant coach when he took over the Jets' helm in 2001, including eight seasons in the NFL with the Chiefs and Buccaneers.

After coaching for 20 years in the college ranks, Heimerdinger spent a decade assisting two of the NFL's top head coaches - Mike Shanahan in Denver and Jeff Fisher in Tennessee. He learned a lot from this pair of top-shelf coaches.

Almost every time Heimerdinger talks to the press, I turn to a fellow reporter and say, "This guy is going to be a head coach one day." You just get that vibe - the way he conducts himself, the knowledge he exudes, the way he communicates.

He's also a no-nonsense coach, something the Jets need now after five years of Edwards, who is the quintessential players' coach. We hear some players aren't working as hard as they should in the weight program. This is a big reason strength coach John Lott left for Cleveland last year. He wasn't getting the proper support from the head coach. A strength coach can't make players work out, unless the head coach has his back.

Also, some players on injured reserve stopped attending meetings under Edwards. This can't be allowed.

The iron-fisted Heimerdinger wouldn't allow this deterioration of discipline to continue, especially with his background working under Shanahan and Fisher.

"Mike knows who to push and who not to push," said Frank Wycheck, who played tight end under Heimerdinger in Tennessee. "He'll ride the younger guys; he pushes them to get into the [playbook] and to be accountable. He expects you to know your stuff."

And Heimerdinger won't waste as much time as Edwards doing media interviews. Last time we checked, dealing with the press can't help you win on Sunday. Some days Edwards would spend as much as two hours talking to reporters. It was out of control.

Heimerdinger is Bill Belichick-like in that he loves spending countless hours in the laboratory coming up with innovative game plans.

"The hours he puts in are mind-boggling," said Titans backup quarterback Billy Volek.

And all the hours Heimerdinger puts into game-planning usually leads to good things happening on Sunday.

"He has great imagination," said Volek. "He is good at attacking a defense, game-planning, and getting to know the opponents' weakness."

Another reason Heimerdinger is a terrific candidate for the job is continuity. If the Jets ever want to bridge the gap with New England, they need to stop changing systems. The Patriots are all about continuity, and the Jets' constant staff changes are very bad for player development. If Heimerdinger leaves, the Jets offensive players will have to learn their third new offense in three years.

The best thing for the Jets to do is promote Heimerdinger, keep Mike Westhoff as special teams coach, and possibly promote linebackers coach Bob Sutton or secondary coach Corwin Brown to defensive coordinator. We hear Donnie Henderson will likely be coaching elsewhere next year.

Don't throw new playbooks at the players once again, unless you want to take a giant step backward.

Woody, you can do an extensive search if you like, but the feeling here is that your head coach is already in the building.

[sirhcyennek81]

Hard to be consistent on offense when you lose your top 2 qb's in the same game. Then lose a curtis martin. The game vs denver was indicitive of the entire jets season. They had to use 3 qb's in one game. How rediculous was that?

[Rascal]

Hopefully we get him soon...the longer we wait the more concerned I get we won't.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Originally Posted by Rascal

Hopefully we get him soon...the longer we wait the more concerned I get we won't.

Already got him.



Longtime coordinator, Shanahan's college roommate to run offense

[Rascal]

Originally Posted by Bronco_Beerslug

Already got him.

Just saw that. Excellent news.

[-Slap-]

Dinger's meaner than Gary. That's good to hear. Shake things up a little for the guys who've gotten complacent. Meanwhile, Kansas City got another doormat for the players to walk all over.

[sirhcyennek81]

Dinger will add some wrinkles. Going to be interesting.

[Rohirrim]

Man, Herm Edwards sounds like a complete douchbag, a media flake, and a lousy coach. I doubt that any team picks him up... uh, wait a minute.

[BroncoInferno]

I actually think this might be an upgrade from Kubes. Not in the "Kubiak sucks" sense of things; he's been a fine coordinator for 11 seasons and earned his top job. In the sense that Heim will bring a fresh approach to things, but without scrapping the whole system. Just some new wrinkles here and there, which for a team that was so close this season, might make all the difference in the world. He likes to use the TE a lot; wonder if Shanny might try to get Heim a stud in the draft? Maybe they are sold on Duke? I like Putz, but he just isn't a gamebreaker and isn't good in the redzone. I'd like to keep him as the #2 TE to give us some sweet two TE sets, but we need a legit go to TE. Maybe that guy is already on the roster (Duke), but who knows. It'll be interesting offseason.

[-Slap-]

Originally Posted by Rohirrim

Man, Herm Edwards sounds like a complete douchbag, a media flake, and a lousy coach. I doubt that any team picks him up... uh, wait a minute.

He was a regular on this incredibly lame radio show I would sometimes hear driving into work. Absolutely horrific radio, three idiots and some dingbat trying to talk sports and be funny at the same time. Herm fit right in with them.

[Rohirrim]

Originally Posted by BroncoInferno

I actually think this might be an upgrade from Kubes. Not in the "Kubiak sucks" sense of things; he's been a fine coordinator for 11 seasons and earned his top job. In the sense that Heim will bring a fresh approach to things, but without scrapping the whole system. Just some new wrinkles here and there, which for a team that was so close this season, might make all the difference in the world. He likes to use the TE a lot; wonder if Shanny might try to get Heim a stud in the draft? Maybe they are sold on Duke? I like Putz, but he just isn't a gamebreaker and isn't good in the redzone. I'd like to keep him as the #2 TE to give us some sweet two TE sets, but we need a legit go to TE. Maybe that guy is already on the roster (Duke), but who knows. It'll be interesting offseason.

I may just be a CU but I'd love to see Klopfenstein in the Orange and Blue. After watching him in every Buff game the last few years you can only come away with one conclusion: He gets open, he catches the ball, and he can run with it. I especially love how the guy prefers to deliver the hit, rather than take it. Ya know, Lepsis was a CU TE.

[Atlas]

I thought Hammerdinger would have gotten a head coaching job from his success in Tennessee. I don't think he will be in Denver 3 years before he gets a job.

[BroncoInferno]

Originally Posted by Rohirrim

I may just be a CU but I'd love to see Klopfenstein in the Orange and Blue. After watching him in every Buff game the last few years you can only come away with one conclusion: He gets open, he catches the ball, and he can run with it. I especially love how the guy prefers to deliver the hit, rather than take it. Ya know, Lepsis was a CU TE.

Do you know where he is projected to go in the draft? It seems like I've heard 2nd round, but I can't remember for sure. He's definately a guy I've been impressed with in the past.

Off topic, how bout that beating my Clemson Tigers gave your boys? Seriously, we should have won that game by 30, but your defense kept it close enough to get within three late. I was sweating. That would have been possibly the worse loss in Clemson history to lose a game where at one point in the 4th we had CU outgained 300 to 30! What was with the late season collapse? Too many off the field distrations with the Barnett situation?

[Clockwork Orange]

Originally Posted by Bronco_Beerslug

Already got him.



Longtime coordinator, Shanahan's college roommate to run offense

Is it official? I haven't seen it reported anywhere.

[SouthStndJunkie]

Nice read.

SSJ

[Tombstone RJ]

Originally Posted by Atlas

I thought Hammerdinger would have gotten a head coaching job from his success in Tennessee. I don't think he will be in Denver 3 years before he gets a job.

Agreed, esp. if the Broncos get to the SB with Plummer.

[Hulamau]

Where was the news posted guys I havent seen it yet but will be really happy if its true. Dinger's gonna provide one of the missing pieces. Not that Kubes isnt good at all, just that some new ideas and creativeness are neded and Kubes and Shanny had gotten too use to what each other would do.

SB win next year or 2008 at the latest.

[Clockwork Orange]

Just saw the other thread, nevermind.

Good hire.

[Hulamau]

Originally Posted by Atlas

I thought Hammerdinger would have gotten a head coaching job from his success in Tennessee. I don't think he will be in Denver 3 years before he gets a job.

I bet he stays until we win, or at least make it to, the SB. That will up his marquee big time and his $$$ significantly. This is a PERFECT situation for him and he'll put 110% effort into it as he gets to walk into a top 4 team knocking on the door with an organization, head coach and overall scheme he is very familiar with, all it needs are a few key players on O and D and we've got a great draft line up. This is his cahce for a fairly quick spring board to the head coaching job of his choice and he knows it.

I really do think he''ll be the key to pushing this team over the top. Taking us to the SB and winning would make him the Golden Boy of coaches. Hell, I wouldnt be surpirsed is Shanny told him he could have his job after they win another SB ( or two :-)), assuming Shanny wants to them take some time off to smell the roses after provign to everyone he can do it all again without Elway and before resuming coaching again down the road.

Anyway, in the meantime this rocks if its true hes coming on board!

[Rohirrim]

Originally Posted by BroncoInferno

Do you know where he is projected to go in the draft? It seems like I've heard 2nd round, but I can't remember for sure. He's definately a guy I've been impressed with in the past.

Off topic, how bout that beating my Clemson Tigers gave your boys? Seriously, we should have won that game by 30, but your defense kept it close enough to get within three late. I was sweating. That would have been possibly the worse loss in Clemson history to lose a game where at one point in the 4th we had CU outgained 300 to 30! What was with the late season collapse? Too many off the field distrations with the Barnett situation?

I'm surprised they did as well as they did. First there was the Hessler accident, which I imagine weighed on some guys' minds. They lost a lot of leadership to graduation last year, especially along the Oline. There were injuries at key spots, players who had bailed to other programs and then ripped Barnett. Then there was the rape charge and the girl kicker thing. I don't know where you live, but once that whold thing started the Colorado media started circling like sharks on a wounded seal. I got so pissed at some of the media shiite going on I could barely control it. They really tore that football program to pieces all year. No CU story was too small that it couldn't be ammo for a month's worth of attacks. As we speak, the media is taking some dip**** racist crap perpetrated by two people, and smearing the whole school with it. So I'm surprised the players handled themselves as well as they did.

I wasn't too impressed with Barnett anyway. He always seem to get completely discombobulated in the big games, screwing up the clock management, losing track of what was happening on the field, blowing time outs, etc. Anyway, I'm looking forward to the Hawkins era. Hopefully, they can just get back to football.

I think Joe will fall somewhere between the 70 and the 80 pick.

[Atlas]

Originally Posted by Hulamau

I bet he stays until we win, or at least make it to, the SB. !

If a good job comes is offered to him he'll take it.

I don't care if it's this offseason. He'll jump.

[Odysseus]

I really really really really like this hire. A very smart way to start the off season. Kubiak gets the HC slot he deserves. Dinger gets in line for the next HC slot that makes sense for him. Perfect.

Keep the Championships coming fellas.

[ZachKC]

Originally Posted by quiettiger

Keep the Championships coming fellas.

Did I miss something?

[-Slap-]

Originally Posted by ZachKC

Did I miss something?

Its not 1999?