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