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If Mike Holmgren returns to the NFL, it won't be as a coach fuming on sidelines. |
BY STEVE DeSHAZO
In an NFL season devoid of parity, half a dozen teams (at most) have legitimate hopes of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy Feb. 7 in Miami.
That's the only goal for the Saints, Colts, Vikings, Patriots, Chargers--and maybe a surprise team that gets healthy and hot in January, as the Giants and Steelers did in recent years.
For the have-nots at the bottom of the standings, though, there's more than one potential prize--although they will be costly and almost as hard to secure as a championship.
Several veteran coaches with Super Bowl rings may be available just after the first of the year. The impressive list includes Bill Cowher, Mike Shanahan, Tony Dungy, Mike Holmgren and Brian Billick.
Their level of interest in returning varies, but their phones--and their agents'--should be busy. That's because there's no shortage of struggling teams hoping for a quick turnaround with an experienced captain.
The 3-7 Buffalo Bills fired the first salvo two weeks ago by firing Dick Jauron. Since then, they reportedly have contacted both Shanahan and Cowher. ESPN.com reported that Cowher said no, but Shanahan reportedly will meet with Bills owner Ralph Wilson this week.
Meanwhile, Holmgren said--apparently unsolicited--on a radio appearance last week that he'd be interested in talking with owner Randy Lerner about the Cleveland Browns' general manager vacancy.
Holmgren, who served as both head coach and GM in Seattle, is reportedly more interested in returning to the front office than the sideline. Apparently, he's also a glutton for punishment, because the 1-9 Browns are the NFL's most dysfunctional franchise.
All of this must have quick-trigger Redskins owner Daniel Snyder fidgeting. The only people who think Jim Zorn isn't a lame duck live under Zorn's roof.
And with deep pockets and a well-documented penchant for hiring big names, Snyder has done little to quell rumors that he's courting Shanahan or Cowher. If Snyder thinks he can lock up one of them before season's end, Zorn won't make it to the new year.
Other franchises that may be looking for a new coach include the Oakland Raiders (3-7), Chicago Bears (4-6) and Carolina Panthers (4-6). If the Green Bay Packers (6-4) or Houston Texans (5-5) collapse down the stretch, change could be coming there, too. Even the 7-3 Dallas Cowboys could ditch Wade Phillips if they repeat their recent December swoons and a big name is available.
Cowher is the great white whale in this search, the consensus No. 1 choice of anyone who's not in the playoff chase. He seems happy with his sabbatical CBS studio gig, but few expect him to follow John Madden's path of leaving and never looking back.
Cowher seems to be playing it smart, keeping all his options open. He'll certainly command well in excess of $6 million per year--and other concessions such as input on personnel or front-office decisions.
NFL.com, citing unnamed sources, reported the prospect of coaching the Bears or Texans would "excite" Cowher. He has a home in North Carolina, which makes the Panthers attractive, and he's almost certainly at the top of Snyder's wish list (and many other teams'). In any case, he'll likely wait for the best situation--be it this year or in the future.
Dungy's ministry may keep him occupied and satisfied for now, but expect to see him back eventually. Shanahan and Billick are the most likely to be back on the sidelines in 2010.
Stay tuned. The coaching courtship may be just as exciting as the playoffs.
UPSET PICK
Now 5-5 after correctly picking the resurgent Titans' Monday night win over Houston, The Pick gets bold and chooses the 10-point underdog Bears to shock the 9-1 Vikings in the Metrodome.
Steve DeShazo: 540/374-5443
Email: sdeshazo@freelancestar.com
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1. Saints (10-0) Patriots are biggest test
2. Colts (10-0) Winning the close ones
3. Vikings (9-1) |
