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If a head coach change was to take place, after the season would seem to be the most logical. Thanks

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Sure hearts still get broken if there's no SuperBowl. But the Steelers have been recognized as the "model" everyone is striving to be over the past decade or more. Yet, in Cowher's 15 years he made it to two SuperBowls and won just one of them.

That's how hard it is.

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I was just talking about this the other day.....Yeah...a lot of people were upset when the Steelers were just knocking on the door...and not winning the ring....but they were happy every gameday that ended in a W.......and there were more W's than L's......Its a process that starts with winning games....then winning the playoff games...then winning THE GAME.....but you dont get a chance to go unless you are invited to the dance....Cowher's Steelers were invited 66% of the time.

Here is just how hard the Super Bowl is.

Just look at some of the coaching greats

LOMBARDI - He won 2 Super Bowls I and II. 105-35 career record including playoffs....for a 75% winning percentage. While comparing anyone to Lombardi is basic football sacriledge....as he practically invented the modern game....one must remember....he won what he did in with 10 game seasons in a 15 team league.......

NOLL - 4 time Super Bowl Champ.... 209-156-1 career record including playoffs....for a 57% winning percentage... yes maybe its just the Steeler homer in me..4 Super Bowls in 6 years.....yeah...thats a tall shadow to stand in......but the fact that he took us to 4 in 6 seems to forgive the other 17 years he coached the Steelers....12 times making the playoffs 11 times not.....making the playoffs 52% of the time.

PARCELS - went 2 out of 3 in the Super Bowl....19 years as a head coach... a record of 183-138 for winning percentage of 57%...10 times he made the playoffs...9 times he did not...making the playoffs just under 53% of the time.

BELICHICK - 3 Super Bowl wins in 4 years....12 years as a HC....a record of 124-84 for a winning percentage of 59%. Has made the playoffs 6 times in 12 years ...making the playoffs 50% of the time.....how much credit does he truly deserve....is it him..or was it Brady? He had Drew Bledsoe and Bernie Kosar...and did nothing with them....It was not until Brady arrived that he became known as a great coach....If Cowher made his mark off a weak AFC North...what do you call beating Miami/Buffalo/and NYJ twice a year?

WALSH - 3 Super Bowl wins....10 years as a HC...a record of 102-63-1 for a winning percentage of 61.4%...Making the playoffs 7 out of 10 years...70% of the time.

COWHER - 1 and 1 in the Super Bowl. 15 years as a HC...a record of 161-99-1 for a winning percentage of 61.6%....he made the playoffs 10 out of 15 years....making the playoffs 66% of the time....and he did most of that with guys like Neil Odonnel, Mike Tomzack, Kordell Stewart, and Tommy Maddox.....not Bart Star, Terry Bradshaw, Phil Simms, Drew Bledsoe and Tom Brady.....Ben Roethlisberger is the first REAL DEAL at QB since Bradshaw...and in just his second year...got Cowher his ring...

How about Mike Holmgren...why is he never mentioned in that group...here is a guy with 3 trips to the Super Bowl...1 win...and a 60% winning percentage...

Cowhers numbers are better or at least on par with all those guys in everything but rings...

and if anything that shows you just how hard it is to win a Championship...out of 41 Super Bowls....If you take the 5 each for Steelers, Cowboys, 49ers...and the 3 each for the Packers, NE, Washington and Raiders.....thats 27 out of 41 wins...throw in the 2 wins each for the Giants, Colts, Broncos, and Dolphins...and thats 35 out of 41 wins.....thats 11 teams responsible for 85% of all Super Bowl wins

and thats just counting wins....if you go back and check those losses..you are going to see a lot of those same teams...Dallas 8 times...Steelers 6 times....Broncos 6 times...Dolphins, NE, Redskins, Raiders 49ers...5 times each... Packers, Bills and Vikes each with 4.... thats 11 teams taking up 57 out of 82 spots for Super Bowl contenders...almost 70% of all Super Bowl teams is made up from these 11....if you add the 2 timers club. Chicago, Cinnci, Phila, KC...you now now have 15 teams making up 65 out of 82 or almost 80% of Super Bowl teams coming from less than half the league.


Buffalo made it 4 straight years...without every winning....its a horrible thing...but what a major accomplishment to go 4 straight time.

Marv Levy....4 STRAIGHT Super Bowls...ZERO wins...a W percentage of 56% and made the playoffs 8 times in 17 years...or only 47% of the time...and he is in the Hall of Fame!

Its a difficult journey...it takes as much luck as skill....but first and foremost...you got to WIN on Sundays.

HACK

That was a good post, Hack. Unfortunately, that's probably why it won't get much attention.

j/c

Too many think all you need is this player or that coach to win the big one.

It's not an easy thing to do. An awful lot of things have to work out together. The right coaching staff with the right players in the right scheme playing for the right reasons at the right time.

First things first. We have to become contenders. We need to get back to back wins. We need a winning record. At the very least, not a losing one. We have to improve before we can start talking SuperBowl.

The Steelers have been the "model franchise" with one of the best coaches/coaching staffs in the league the past 15 years. They've had some extremely good talent on that team. A very good offensive line, a devestating front 7, quality QB's for the most part, a punishing running back for years, superb playcalling and schemes, but still only two SuperBowl appearances in 15 years, winning only one of them.

It's that hard. It's not fantasy football. It's a real battle. Even if everything seems to come together at the right time it's no guarantee of anything.

To say our team must win and must win now with the level of talent we have is absurd. Sure we must improve. Sure our talent level is better than it has been in quite some time. But we are so used to mediocrity that when we approach average we start having unrealistic high hopes.

Sure we must improve.

I think this is the crux of the matter. All most of us want is the feeling, as shep said in another thread, that we will be competitive each week. We want to go to the Stdium or watch the game on TV feeling that we have a real chance to win. That it's not a fluke of nature or a miracle play that is needed for a W.

There are always gonna be people who predict 12 wins each year and are pissed if we only win 8 or 9 or whatever. Always. Just like there will always be people who wanna change the coach. It doesn't matter what we think in the end. It only matters what the owner and GM think. That is where buck stops.

And that is why I feel that if we don't show real improvement this year that is reflected in the record with 7 or 8 wins then Romeo is in very real trouble. My opinion is not shaped by any media outlet. I live far enough away from Cleveland that I don't read much on the Browns. Except on here.

Are they thinking about Cowher or Marty? I'm sure it's in the back of Phil's and Randy's minds. They'd be less than human if it wasn't. You're talking about two HOF coachs that (and I'm just guessing now) would love to coach here if offered the job.

So does Romeo have to produce a record that may be very, very tough to achieve with the talent we have? Yeah, probably. Is it impossible? No, I don't think so. I think 7 wins keeps his job. 8 wins assures it, IMO. We'll see. I hope he does it.

There is only one thing that might derail all of this, though. If we get thumped in that first game all bets are off. A big loss to Pitt in the opener could throw all of what I've said out the window.

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A big loss to Pitt in the opener could throw all of what I've said out the window.

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Why wait? I'll do that now.


Sorry 'otto, I couldn't resist.

Hack, that was a lot of fun to read and so so accurate. Thanks for the read man,,,,, Outstanding!

I have to wonder what would happen if you throw all the Championships in the mix.... (for those older than dirt, such as me, there was actually a championship to be won before the superbowl came along ya know )

I ask because then you gotta put Paul Brown (for one) in the mix and see how he stacks up against guys like Lombardi and Noll etc etc...

Cowher To Coach NY Giants?

(KDKA) PITTSBURGH Is Bill Cowher heading to the Big Apple? One of his former players seems to think so.

Former Steelers Running Back Jerome Bettis made the prediction today on the NFL Network: Cowher will return to the NFL next season as head coach of the New York Giants.

Appearing on the NFL Network's "Total Access," Bettis said, "I really think he'll be coaching next year, and I think he'll be coaching in New York... That's my take on it and just thinking about the type of team he fits in good with, the Giants are definitely one."

Before you totally dismiss what Bettis is saying, remember he was the first person to say immediately after the Steelers won the Super Bowl that Cowher would retire following the 2006 season.

Cowher immediately denied the story and he said that he was "disappointed" in Bettis. Of course, we all know by now that Bettis was 100% correct in his Cowher prediction.

Expect the Cowher rumors to continue throughout the upcoming NFL season.

The NY Giants aren't the only NFL team that could be in the market for a head coach. Teams such as the Washington Redskins, Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers and Tennessee Titans could also puruse Cowher.

The only thing for certain is that Cowher will be working for CBS and the "NFL Today" this upcoming season.

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Appearing on the NFL Network's "Total Access," Bettis said, "I really think he'll be coaching next year, and I think he'll be coaching in New York... That's my take on it and just thinking about the type of team he fits in good with, the Giants are definitely one."

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He may be right, but this time........he is "thinking" as opposed to the retirement prediction in which he "knew" the truth.

Maybe Bettis is right and maybe he isn't, but now that he's a member of the media, perhaps he just wants to stir things up a bit in New York. Don't discount that possibility.

As for Cowher, he didn't need to win a Super Bowl to tell me he's a great coach. I've believed that for years, for the one big reason others have stated: he consistently brings out the best in his teams and has their respect.

I lifted this from the "Hey Tony (Grossi)" column in today's Plain Dealer:

Q: Hey, Tony: Is it true that Bill Cowher could be interested in being head coach for the Browns? Have a friend who’s seen him in a meeting with some big-wigs from the Browns. Is there any truth to this? — Todd Davis, Wooster

A: Hey, Todd: Cowher has to sit out the 2007 season before he can have any contact with any team. Of course, that does not prohibit a “third party” from making contact to open lines of communication. As long as he is “unemployed,” his name will be linked to the Browns. I believe Cowher’s work as an analyst on NBC this season will keep him in the NFL loop and by the end of the year, he will be hungry to return to coaching. We shall see then if the Browns are in the market for a head coach.

If Wright, Thomas, and Quinn achieve there potential here in Cleveland then Lerner would be crazy to can him. We should keep Savage, but if we do then Cowher might not come here and we might end up with Ferentz.

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By Ron Cook, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

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that part made the article even more enjoyable, a Pittsburgh writer telling the steelers to get over it.

I think that there a lot of very good coaches who never will/never had a shot to win it all. The NFL is such a diverse game...just about every coach has a great scheme, or has a great understanding of certain aspects of the game. I think those are the guys that just won't win it all. I will tell you right now my favorite OC in the whole league is Tom Moore, of the Colts. The man runs that offense like a symphony, but I have no doubt that he would flop as a head coach. Being a great head coach is more than scheme...it's management, it's understanding roster intricacies (I spelled it wrong I think), it's reaching out to the players, etc.

Being a great NFL head coach is like the perfect storm, and why it's so hard to win one ring, let alone many. For example, do you think that Belichick wins ONE ring, let alone three if he doesn't have Tom Brady waiting in the wings after Bledsoe went down? Once lightning struck though, it all came together at the right time...Brady was the efficient QB who lead them to victory, with a defense that got by on grit and determination, and smart play. Then as it all trickled down, it all fell into place...Brady got worlds better and became an elite QB, Belichick rebuilt the defense, etc etc.

I think that's why the Schottenheimers of the world, while of great quality, just maybe don't have that one thing.

And that's why without a doubt, I will proclaim that this is my short list of guys who have that perfect storm brewing, and will win a Super Bowl in the next five or so years...

Sean Peyton
Bill Belichick (he's a lock for one more)
Mike Tomlin (going out on a limb, but I just see it)
Eric Mangini (Belichick-lite)

And my short list of guys who I don't see winning it all within the next five years...

Wade Phillips (he won't be able to control TO, and people forget how bad he was in Buffalo)
Tony Dungy (he's not a good defensive coach, and he's living and dying by Larry Johnson, who will end up being worse than TO in a few years)
Cam Cameron (great offensive mind, but shouldn't be a HC)

I think you mean Herman Edwards on the bottom there.

hehe...Whoops yeah my bad!

I still believe RAC is gone before the 8th game of the year but if so....do we appoint a HC from inside the organization and wait until after the playoffs to pick a permanent coach? Or do we take a college guy like KF when the college bowl season is over?

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The NFL is such a diverse game...just about every coach has a great scheme, or has a great understanding of certain aspects of the game. I think those are the guys that just won't win it all.

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Just about every coach has a great scheme but those are the guys that won't win it all??? Narrow it down some? That's one helluva blanket statement.........

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And that's why without a doubt, I will proclaim that this is my short list of guys who have that perfect storm brewing, and will win a Super Bowl in the next five or so years...

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Or they won't.

And that is what makes it such a beautiful game, and why we all watch each Sunday. Our Browns were admittedly bad last year by anyone with half of a football brain or less, yet we lost how many games by 6 points or less? We were THIS close to being a playoff team, even though we were not a good team.

If Byner doesn't fumble the ball on the 3 yard line going for the winning score against the Donks, is Marty STILL our head coach? Do we lose our team for 3 years? How could Art justify it then?

Your short list of things falling into the right place at the right time for teams can be expanded.....You mention Brady and the Patsies, but what about Dilfer and the Rats D? What about Big Ben falling into the perfect situation in Pitt? Kurt Warner and the Rams? P Manning had the O for how long before they could bring it together on the D side to win it all? Is this the HC, or just luck of the draw? The stars being in alignment finally?

This is why this game is so great....it truly is any given Sunday.........sure, the elite teams will stand out after the first 6 weeks of the season, but a play here or a play there can turn the tide for a squad, and get them into the playoffs where it's anybody's dance.

We've seen 10 different teams win the whole shebang since FA was introduced in 1993 fourteen SB's ago......and prior to that it was the same ol' same ol'......and that plays into it as well.

20 (I believe if my math is right) teams have gone to the big dance since the inception of FA.......in 14 years.

Parity is what was sought....and that's what we have.....coaching be damned. It's all about windows of opportunity and spreading the wealth.

Shep my point, that I might not have clearly established, is some guys have amazing schemes, plans, and ideas. Look at Mike Martz. The guy revolutionized an offense that was 20 years before thought to be out of this world. He has one Super Bowl ring to show for it, for when he an OC. He couldn't cut it as the HC who made his team go all the way. I think the NFL has a lot of guys like that who just don't have that quality.

Look at Jon Gruden...again, a guy I consider to be a top notch offensive mind. It's obvious now he won the Super Bowl because he had a head hunter defense (and his opponent just happened to keep the same terminology and snap count from the year before from when he was HC, but whatever). Being a great mind, or student of the game doesn't take you as far as some people think it does.

There is football knowledge with it's schemes, plans and adjustments. It's a given that every head coach must have plenty of that to go around.

He also must have a staff of good assistant coaches who completely buy into his knowledge and plans who can translate that belief and understanding onto the players since they are work more closely with the individual players.

Then there are the players themselves who must have a level of intelligence and talent to actually be able to carry out and execute what they have been taught.

All this must fall into place and there is a small, short window of opportunity in which to cash in on.

But there is also another quality a head coach must have that will make the difference and possibly make up for slight shortcomings in other areas. That is his ability to form an effective team organization that starts with the head coach and funnels down to the last lowly practice squad player.

To get the entire team on the same page, football knowledge aside, is the role of a manager who commands respect from the top (FO) down. He has to be able to manage his staff and his players. He must have a method of organizing team activities such as individual drills, practices and classroom teaching.

A head coach must have everything running smoothly and also have a policy to deal with issues that don't.

A lot of fans think the head coach calls all the shots. But he doesn't. However, he is responsible for all the shots that are called. He oversees the offensive and defensive game plans but it is the coordinators who carry them out. Of course, the head coach will step in and make an adjustment if he sees the need. But for the most part it is his assistants who carry out their individual assignments to the success or failure.

What depends on their success is the team organization that the head coach sets as policy. It depends on how smoothly the team is run and to what extent they are all on the same page.

The head coach is responsible for everything that makes up the team. Thus, he cannot DO everything. He is simply too busy overseeing everything, including duties that are far removed form actual football play, to actually do everything. He is at the mercy of those who do the doing for him. It is his ability to have things done by others in the exact manner in which he wants them done that will determine his success.

That is a lot of organizational skills that really have nothing to do with football. That, I believe, is why some really great, inovative, highly successful assistants do not make good head coaches. They lack the organizational skills.

It's the organizational skills and their ability to oversee all team activities while correctly dealing with the issues that threaten the smooth operation of the team that sets them apart from their otherwise equally qualified peers.

The higher a coach moves up in the ranks, the further away from the field he gets. It's his ability to manage the team from that distance that will determine his success or failure.

That's the way I see it.

Wherever he coaches ( If he does ) I hope it is not in Cleveland. I LOVE to HATE him and I believe he would be a horrid choice as a new HC if the need arises. Because of all the trash he has spewed over the years about the Browns.

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Because of all the trash he has spewed over the years about the Browns.

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Such as? Can you give me some quotes?

I seem to recall Cowher giving nothing but respect to the Browns over the years....

Bettis thinks Cowher will coach Giants in '08
Tuesday, Jul 17, 2007 1:40 pm EDT

Getty Images
Former Steelers running back Jerome Bettis is now a television analyst, and on NFL Network he made a surprising prediction last week: He thinks his old coach, Bill Cowher, will coach the New York Giants next year.

Cowher's arrival, of course, would mean that Tom Coughlin is coaching his final season for the Giants.

So here is a question for all of you.

1st let's work under the assumptions that Romeo gets canned sometime this year (either during the season or right after). And secondly all these coaches are available (it is very reasonable that all of these will be available).

So who do want as our next coach?

Cowher
Fisher
Coughlin
Martz
Grantham
Chud
Other

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I dont have any quotes that I can go back to

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That's because there aren't any....the players have talked plenty of trash (especially Porter)...but Cowher has always given respect (and even props) to the Browns....even when they didn't deserve it.

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I dont have any quotes that I can go back to....but I do recall some trash talking that I did not appreciate.

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Remeber that was Sam Wyche that told his Bungle fans they don't live in Cleveland....not Cowher. And that was pretty funny....

Out of that list, Cowher. Even if Schotty was there, I'd still take Cowher.

His teams do not underachieve. At worst, they play as expected. Typically, they overachieve. It seems every off-season his teams lose more than they gain, yet they are always in the mix at season's end.

This is how I want the Browns to play. This is something Cowher would bring.

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)...but Cowher has always given respect (and even props) to the Browns....even when they didn't deserve it.

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That's more in line with what I remember too.

Cowher coached here first. I don't remember nor could I imagine him "trash talking" the Browns.

There's been a few things being said on here lately with the disclaimer, "I don't have a link but I remember...". I don't believe that cuts it. Opinions are opinions and their weight is in their merit. But when facts are stated, especially controversial ones, they need to be backed up or held in check.

I'd rather try to find a guy who's going to be around for awhile. Marty did a great job resurrecting the Chargers, but the guy is ancient. Cowher is still young in terms of age by coaching standards, but he burned out in Pittsburgh. Is anything left?

The coaching market is starting to dry up a bit, but I'd like to get youth in here if the Browns poop can Romeo. Other than the obvious internals, these are guys I'd look at it...

Al Saunders - Yes he's not young, but he could fine tune the offense. He runs the best version of the Air Coryell out there, which the Browns want to convert to.

Mark Trogvac - He's not a 3-4 guy per se, but he's good defensive mind. His defensive line work is amazing, and he does well with pass rushers.

John Hufnagel - I'm going out on a limb with this guy, but I expect the Giants defense to really pick up under him. Again, not a 3-4 guy, but he employs the same zone blitz principles that could translate well to our defense.

If the Browns went for more experience, Dom Capers would likely get an interview as he's a huge 3-4 guy, but he flopped with two expansion franchises.

Rex or Rob Ryan - Pretty much they run the same defense. I'd prefer Rex, but whatever.


Other Guys to look at (but might not be our sort)

Donnie Henderson
Ron Riviera
Jon Barry

BigC - Good additions.

Idaelly we will play well enough for RAC to keep his job.

I would love to have either Jeff Fisher of Cowher as our head coach next year if it isn't Romeo.

I would put Saunders 3rd (can't believe I missed him from my original list.

In my dream world our next new head coach is Chud (in 5-7 years )

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There's been a few things being said on here lately with the disclaimer, "I don't have a link but I remember...". I don't believe that cuts it. Opinions are opinions and their weight is in their merit. But when facts are stated, especially controversial ones, they need to be backed up or held in check.

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Very good point.