Friday Morning Cup O’Super Bowl
From Tampa, Florida
It’s the Number One question asked of anybody from Kansas City walking the rain soaked streets of Tampa on Thursday: who’s going to be the Chiefs head coach?
The shoulders are sore from shrugging so much.
Scott Pioli works with a plan, and that plan apparently did not include the quick hiring of a head coach.
That’s OK if Pioli gets his man. What might make things tough is putting together a coaching staff that will help that man turn things around at Arrowhead Stadium. There have been a lot of coaching changes in the NFL and there have been a lot of good coaches on the street. There were certainly a lot more good coaches two weeks ago when Pioli was announced as the team’s new GM.
Unless this new head coach comes to Kansas City and we find out he’s already got his staff lined up, the Chiefs are going to be at a disadvantage.
This all was brought home to me on Thursday here in Tampa when I sat down to talk with Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians (right).
There are a lot of Chiefs fans who don’t know that the man who calls the plays for Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was once a Chiefs assistant coach. BA was the running backs coach on Marty Schottenheimer’s staff for three seasons (1989-91). It was his first job in pro football; he’d just been fired as head coach at Temple University in Philadelphia.
When Schottenheimer was hired by Carl Peterson to come in and help turn the franchise around, he put together a staff that history shows was pretty remarkable.
“It was one of the best staffs I ever worked on,” Arians said. “I think our Super Bowl staff with Bill (Cowher in 2005) was comparable with ‘Whiz’ (Ken Whisenhunt) and Russ (Grimm), Dick Hoak, James Daniel and myself.
“But that staff in Kansas City was special.”
And that staff of 12-men helped turn around the fortunes of the franchise. Consider the names Schottenheimer put together:
- Joe Pendry – Offensive Coordinator.
- Al Saunders – Wide receivers coach.
- Bruce Arians – Running backs coach.
- Howard Mudd – Offensive line coach.
- Kurt Schottenheimer – Special teams coach.
- Bill Cowher – Defensive Coordinator.
- Tom Pratt – Defensive line coach.
- Tony Dungy – Secondary coach.
- Darvin Wallis – Defensive quality control.
- Dave Redding – Strength & conditioning.
- Russ Ball – assistant strength & condition.
Twenty years later, that group has accomplished a lot. Dungy and Cowher won Super Bowl titles as head coaches. Just in the 2008 football season, Cowher was the most sought after coaching candidate the land, Dungy was in what was his final season as head coach of the Indianapolis Colts. Saunders was the offensive coordinator of the St. Louis Rams, Arians was the offensive coordinator of the Steelers and Pendry was the assistant head coach/offensive line coach at the University of Alabama. Mudd was the offensive line coach of the Colts, Kurt Schottenheimer was the secondary coach of the Green Bay Packers and Ball was the Vice-President of Football Administration/Player Finance for the Packers.
Pratt, Wallis and Redding are retired.
“With Tony and Tom Pratt and Bill on defense and then Joe Pendry and Al Saunders on offense, it was a great coaching staff and that turned that thing around,” said Arians.
“I tell people all the time about Arrowhead. The first day I walked in, it was hard to get 27,000 (fans) in there. Within a really short time, we started bringing them back every time. That whole thing grew and it was really fun to be a part of.
“It hurts to see it not there again.”
Twenty years later, whoever Scott Pioli picks as the Chiefs next head coach must put together that kind of coaching staff to help turn the team’s on-field fortunes.
COUNTDOWN TO SUPER BOWL – 2 DAYS AWAY
Former Steelers head coach Bill Cowher is cheering for Pittsburgh, and for Arizona this coming Sunday.
The member of the Steelers that the Cardinals fear the most is 71 years old.
Notes&Quotes from CardinalsLand, including a story about Todd Haley and Bill Parcells.
COACHING/FRONT OFFICE UPDATE
Jimmy Raye gave his first interview as the new offensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers and he had some interesting things to say to the Sacramento Bee newspaper.
“He wants a tough-minded football team,” Raye said of Niners head coach Mike Singletary. “He’s a middle linebacker that understands the grunt part of the game, the briar patch if you will. He wanted to find someone with a similar vision.”
Raye is just learning the 49ers personnel, but said he thinks the 49ers are somewhat similar to the Kansas City Chiefs offenses that he coached in the 1990s. He and Singletary are using those Chiefs teams as a model.
“I don’t know if I can compare a Vernon Davis to a Tony Gonzales because I haven’t seen (Davis) yet,” said Raye. “I know he has a tremendous upside. Hopefully he is. We will try to see if that’s a fit for him. Frank Gore seems like he has the capability to carry the ball 25 times (a game). Now Tony Richardson – we (49ers) don’t have that player or that body right now in the building. But I think we’ll find that guy.”
Raye said his offensive plan will include aspects of the system Norv Turner ran in San Franciscso in 2006 with what he got done with the Chiefs.
“It would be a combination of that (Turner) and what I did as a coordinator in Kansas City with Elvis Grbac and Tony Gonzales and Tony Richardson and the players I had there,” Raye said.
BUCCANEERS – Named former Boston College head coach Jeff Jagodzinksi as offensive coordinator. They also formally announced Pete Mangurian as their new offensive line coach.
RAMS - Added Andre Curtis as a defensive quality control coach. He had the same duties with the New York Giants. They also added Bruce Warwick to the coaching staff; he had been in the Packers front office last year.
BRANDON CARR UPDATE
Chiefs cornerback Brandon Carr is back home in Flint, Michigan and he spoke with his local scribe about life for a small-college rookie in the NFL. Click here to read some of Carr’s thoughts.
FROM THE PAGES OF SUPER BOWL HISTORY
On January 30, 1983, the Washington Redskins beat the Miami Dolphins 27-17 in Super Bowl XVII at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. A crowd of 103,667 watched as John Riggins led the Redskins to victory, running for 166 yards on 38 carries, with a 43-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter that broke the game open. Miami grabbed the game’s first points and lead, when QB David Woodley connected with WR Jimmy Cefalo on a 76-yard touchdown pass. Later in the half, Miami’s Fulton Walker returned a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown, allowing the Dolphins a 17-10 lead at half-time. That’s when the Washington offense of Joe Gibbs began a comeback, using Riggins legs and the throwing of QB Joe Theismann, who had two touchdown passes on the day, as he completed 15 of 23 passes for 143 yards. Washington’s defense held Miami to just 176 yards in total offense. Riggins was the game’s MVP. It was the first NFL title for Washington since 1942.
SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO …
Former Chiefs safety Skip Lane, who was born on January 30, 1960 in Norwalk, CT. Lane played in a total of seven games over three seasons in the NFL, and that included one game with the Chiefs in the 1984 season.
KC’s new Dream Team?
HC – Russ Grimm
OC – Chan Gailey
DC – Romeo Crennel
OL – Tim Grunhard
RB -?
QB -?
WR -?
DL -?
LB -?
DB -?
SPT-?
Help fill in the rest with whats still out there to pick from or your own dream team of coaches.
I remember that staff and in the early and mid 90′s the Chiefs made a couple runs at it. Sure hope Pioli does more than make a couple runs at a Super Bowl. Thing is he will need a Staff alot like that one to get it done. Although I don’t think there are as many holes in the player roster as most. Take the D-Line add a pass rusher for instance (like J.Allen) and Dorsey, Hali, Tyler and all those guys get better. I really think if we get a guy like that and a MLB that is just as intense that Defense would have alot of potential guess we will see.
Wow that would be my dream start to a staff anyway!!
HC – Russ Grimm
OC – Chan Gailey
DC – Romeo Crennel
OL – Tim Grunhard
RB -?
QB -?
WR – Wes Chandler – was working w/ Romeo
DL -?
LB -?
DB -?
SPT – Joe Avezzano (Currently Retired)
MeninRed -
I’d be very happy with that lineup. Hopefully at this late date those guys could tap the position and SP coaches they wanted.
Pioli has a plan in mind…and most likely in motion. I seriously doubt he’s sitting around thinking “Oh crap…what am I gonna’ do?”
It’ll be interesting to see what he’s got, though. That’s for sure.
Good stuff on Carr!
Why would we want russ grimm for head coach? he is not a great mind, he was a great player. who was the last great player to do anything as a coach? that is a dream staff because you know the names on it. I want people that I haven’t heard of that are up and coming.
8:45 am says:
Why would we want russ grimm for head coach?
One he should be considered as he was a front runner in the Steelers job before Tomlin showed up. They have been pretty good at selecting coach’s. Second, I like the guy has done well and seen some turn arounds in his day. He has been on teams in the SuperBowl and knows the environment you have to have to get there. I would rather see someone with some experience in turning a franchise around thats my take on it not that I am a football guru or anything. Take Pat Garrett Dallas OC not exactly coming out of nowhere but was really hot new kid last year. Offense went to crap this year with basically the same personnel not the guy everyone thought he was. Whisenhunt one of the other finalist in the Steelers coaching hunt “Coaching the SuperBowl” and yes he has an Outstanding staff thus we are trying to have a little fun and come up with our own dream staff started by Mr. MenInRed come up with your own if you don’t like the Coach’s we have.
Chris, it’s Jason Garrett, Jason hasn’t shot Owens in the back, YET!!! LOL
Time clock, how do you know what type of mind Grimm has, he’s not old, and he certainly is an “up and comer”, as Chris said, he was a finalist for the Steeler’s 2 yr’s ago, he’s played and coached under some of the great minds in the game, Gibb’s, Cowher I’m sure he’s learned a couple of things from them.
PS, now that I think about it, the cowboys could use a guy like pat garrett, plenty of criminals on their team that need to be shot.
Chris…I think it’s JASON Garrett.
Pat Garrett shot Billy the Kid. And you’re from Texas? Lol!
Just bustin’ your chops, man.
Grimm is the guy. I am almost certain it’s gonna be him.
Sorry about the Jason, Pat whatever shows how much I could care about the Circus of the Cowboys and sorry I’m not a Native Texan its just been my home for quite sometime and unless I get offered an insane amount of money I’m not leaving.
Just messin’ with you, Chris. Although John beat me to it.
The rest of the post was excellent. I agree.
As far as bustin’ my chops I have pretty thick skin and I dish it out so should expect it back bring it on.
“Just hackin on ya man” (Remeber this scene in Young Guns?) “Heard ya killed a man Billy” “yeah Billy whyd ya kill him?”
“For hackin on me” LMAO
Yeah that was a classic line John.
Here’s the skinny on Grimm “8:42am” :
College: Pittsburgh
Hometown: Scottdale, PA
DOB: May 2, 1959
Cardinal Season: 2nd
NFL Season: 17th
NoteCARDS:
“¢ Joined the Cardinals on 1/23/07 when he became the team’s assistant head coach/offensive line.
“¢ In 2007, Arizona’s offensive line ranked sixth in the NFL by allowing only 24 sacks, the lowest total for the team since 1978 (22).
“¢ Was among 17 finalists for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2008, was one of 17 finalists for induction in 2007, and one of 10 finalists in 2006.
“¢ Spent 20 seasons with the Washington Redskins, the first 11 as an all-pro lineman (1981-91) and then as an assistant coach for nine seasons (1992-2000)
“¢ In his career, his teams have earned four Super Bowl victories. Three as a player (XVII, XXII and XXVI) and one as a coach (XL).
“¢ Earned four consecutive Pro Bowl selections (1983-86) and was a first-team selection to the NFL’s 1980′s all-decade team.
Russ Grimm begins his second season with the Cardinals as the assistant head coach/offensive line after joining the team on 1/23/07. Previously with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the same capacity, Grimm is beginning his 17th season as an NFL assistant after playing 11 years at guard for the Washington Redskins.
Grimm, 49, spent the prior six seasons with the Steelers coaching with current Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt before coming to Arizona. He joined the Steelers staff in 2001 as only the second offensive line coach in Bill Cowher’s tenure and made an instant impact in developing the Pittsburgh’s offensive line. Grimm’s value to the coaching staff was recognized by Cowher, who promoted Grimm to assistant head coach prior to the 2004 season, the only coach to hold that title under Cowher.
In his 27 years in the NFL, Grimm had previously only been associated with two teams prior to his appointment in Arizona. He spent 19 years as a player and a coach with the Washington Redskins before joining the Steelers in 2001.
Grimm made an immediate impact in his first season with Arizona. His offensive line allowed only 24 sacks in 2007, 6th best in the NFL and the fewest given up by the Cardinals since 1978 (22). Grimm’s offensive line also paved the way for running back Edgerrin James to rush for 1,222 yards, the fifth best total in team history. The Cardinals offense finished with the 5th best passing attack in the NFL and threw for a team record 32 touchdowns.
The 2006 Steelers offensive line helped pave the way for running back Willie Parker to gain 1,494 yards and 13 touchdowns on 337 carries (4.4 yard avg.) and earn his first Pro Bowl selection. Pittsburgh’s offense finished the 2006 season with the 10th best rushing attack in the NFL, helping to give the Steelers the 7th ranked total offense in the league. Parker finished the season with the second and third top rushing performances of the year in the NFL with 223 rushing yards (32 att., TD) against Cleveland (12/7) and 213 yards (22 att., 2 TDs) vs. New Orleans (11/12).
Under Grimm’s guidance in 2005, the Super Bowl champion Steelers averaged nearly 140 yards rushing per game during the regular season to rank fifth in the NFL while also grinding out 181 rushing yards in their Super Bowl XL victory over the Seattle Seahawks.
While in Pittsburgh, Grimm molded a formidable and tough offensive front anchored by All-Pro guard Alan Faneca, who earned his sixth trip to the Pro Bowl and his fifth consecutive start in 2007, and center Jeff Hartings, who made his second Pro Bowl appearance in 2006 and developed into one of the best centers in the NFL in just six seasons.
A native of Scottdale, PA, Grimm began his NFL coaching career as Washington’s tight ends coach (1992-96) before moving to coach the Redskins offensive line for four seasons (1997-2000). He is credited with the development of Washington tackles Jon Jansen and five-time Pro Bowler Chris Samuels, who each earned starting spots as rookies on the Redskins’ offensive line.
Grimm started 11 seasons at guard for the Redskins (1981-91) and helped lead the team to four Super Bowl appearances and three victories. He was voted to four consecutive Pro Bowls (1983-86), was a first-team selection to the 1980s all-decade team, and an original member of Washington’s renowned “Hogs”Âť offensive line. During his playing days with the Redskins, Grimm was a teammate of Whisenhunt (1989-90) and quarterbacks coach Jeff Rutledge (1990-91).
He was among the 17 finalists for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2008, the 17 finalists for induction into the hall in 2007 and the 10 finalists in 2006.
An All-American center at Pitt who helped his team to a 22-2 record over his junior and senior seasons, Grimm was selected by the Redskins in the third round (69th overall) of the 1981 NFL Draft. His younger brother, Donn, was a starting linebacker on Notre Dame’s 1988 national championship team and signed with the Cardinals as a rookie free agent in 1991.
As a prep, Grimm punted, played quarterback and linebacker at Southmoreland High School while earning nine varsity letters and starring on the basketball team.
Grimm was inducted into the Western Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. He has four children, Chad, Cody, and fraternal twins Devin and Dylan.
And the link to back it up:
http://www.azcardinals.com/team/staff_detail.php?PRKey=163
If Grimm is indeed our new coach…then hopefully he can restore our O-line back to it’s former greatness. We need it. Badly.
Good stuff MIR!
Haely may be fine, but I’m with Chris and MIR,@ this point in time I’d feel better about Grimm being the real man in KC. (if we can’t get Cowher)
PS just curious why no body threw a fit a while back when I said I like Fassell(?) as a HC? (Or DC)
Figured that would get some sort of negative reaction.
MenInRed,
Great article hopefully Pioli feels the same as we do about Grimm.
John,
I didn’t catch the Fassell comment but while I don’t think he would be a great HC he is a good coach but if I had a choice between Romeo and him for DC would have to go with Romeo.
Although lets pencil him in as he coached Elway and Phil Simms not bad QB’s
HC – Russ Grimm
OC – Chan Gailey
DC – Romeo Crennel
OL – Tim Grunhard
RB -?
QB – Jim Fassel
WR – Wes Chandler – was working w/ Romeo
DL -?
LB -?
DB -?
SPT – Joe Avezzano (Currently Retired
If any ones intrested, Stafford is going to be on 810 some time this morning. Vermil is on right now.
http://www.810whb.com/
I caught him this morning on Mike/Mike thanks. Good kid I wouldn’t be too disappointed if we drafted him. Needs some control but man he has a heck of a deep ball.
If they do, they need to get some wideouts that can get open down the field! Bowe ain’t the one!
I agree but K.Robinson, Charles(not a WR but good hands), W.Franklin we could always use someone to increase the level of talent but I think with all the other needs not sure I would draft one early enough to be that good. Maybe if there was a diamond from D2 or something we could get in later rounds or get a FA.
Guys gotta hit this site.
Donate and bid on something, I did, just don’t bid against me LOL.
GREAT CAUSE!!!
Guys gotta hit this site.
Donate and bid on something, I did, just don’t bid against me LOL.
GREAT CAUSE!!!
http://www.gridirongreats.org/index.html
QB Coach – Trent Green
Good interview and read today bob, also for everyone else who hasnt read it yet, bob has a good story on D.T. and the hall of fame run again on kcchiefs.com fyi
Heard someone say somewhere on here that Cowher was buying a house in Leawood. I thought that was the stupidist thing I had ever heard until I just heard the same thing on NFL Total Access. What could this mean? That Bill just wants to spend his summers here?
Did no one else read this? I posted it last night. Am i the only one who saw this?
Heres the link gorillafan mentioned it is pretty good.
http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2009/01/30/another_chance_for_dt/
I don’t see D.T. getting passed on AGAIN.
I sure hope D.T. doesn’t get passed again he should already be there. If any player earned a spot in the HOF he did.
I too thought the Cowher buying a house here was just a silly rumor. He has made it clear he’s not going to caoch this year. Maybe there’s something in the works for 2010, but I doubt it. If this were to be true, it would make sense for Chan Gailey to be the coach for one year. I still think it’s just another rumor. I wasn’t aware there was something on the NFL network. What exactly did they say?
Not saying the rumors are false but rumor has it he has bought a house in Strongsville, Ohio also which is just south of Cleveland.
Steve DeBerg is quite a highly respected qb guy. He gets paid a lot of $$$ in FL to work with all levels of QBs
As long as we are dreaming and guessing, here we go.
HC Russ Grimm
OC Chan Gailey
DC Romeo Crennel
OL Tim Grunhard
RB Tom Rathman
QB Warren Moon, Doug Flutie, or David Krieg
WR Stephan Paige
DL Dan Saleamua
LB Mike “Mad Dog” Maslowski
DB Albert Lewis
Special Teams……Bennie “fire hydrant” Thompson
Strength and conditioning Hershel Walker
Attitude SSGT Garret USMC
Not bad Dawg that would be a heck of a coaching staff. Really like the attitude coach.
Uew Rah “Devildog1976″
MIR
that is OOOOOOOOOORAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!
Sorry, can you tell I was a SeaDog (in the Navy). lol
ALL dogs are important…….. every last one!!
So lets fill the special teams with MAD dogs.. devildogs, or seadogs it is all about field position!
3 phases off. / def. / special teams equal parts, equal energy, equal intensity!