Why Al Saunders Should Get A Shot...

[RINGLEADER]

I'm by no means the biggest Al Saunders fan in the world but there are a few facts that I believe have earned him the right to take over the Chiefs:

1) He's been loyal to the franchise and Vermeil and stayed the course when he likely could have landed a head coaching gig elsewhere;

2) He's kept the Chiefs offense in the top five over the past four years (including the top spot the last two years);

3) As much as I felt he DIDN'T get it during the first eight games of the year I truly started to believe that he DID get it over the last half of the season. He recognized the dimension that Larry Johnson brought to this offense and he leaned on the guy heavily as he rightly should have...I had fewer problems with the play calling and the results seemed to speak for themselves after the Buffalo debacle;

4) Al would keep the offense intact and I have to believe the loyalty of his assistants would innure to the benefit of the Chiefs...bottomline is the number one offense would remain intact which to me is the biggest concern we should have in switching gears. If we move to a different offense it will cost us at least two games next year (if not more).

Bottomline is that Al Saunders will be a head coach somewhere next season. And given the names being bandied about (Butch Davis, Herm Edwards, Gregg Williams) I think I - and the Chiefs players - would feel more confident with a guy that's proven he can succeed (even if it's only on his side of the ball) then someone coming off a 4-12 season.

[shaneo69]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

It's a matter of opinion, and in mine, smashmouth football does equal martyball. I like balance on offense. I don't want to be predictable, and I don't like conservative playcalling. At all.

You're welcome to disagree with that opinion. But you're not going to change my mind, and I'm not going to try to change yours.

With LJ in the backfield in 2005, we were a smashmouth offense.

[luv]

Originally Posted by Laz

we need defense without losing the offense we have.

Agreed. So, do we...?

1. Get a defensively minded HC and hope that Al stays
2. Promote Al, and hope Gunther follows through
3. Promote Al, and hope he finds a new DC

I'm starting to lean towards liking Jeff Fisher if available, and only if Al will stay. Otherwise, I'm indecisive between options 2 and 3.

[Mecca]

Al's not staying.........and Gunther needs to go either way.

[luv]

Originally Posted by Mecca

Al's not staying.........and Gunther needs to go either way.

Okay, if Al goes either way, who do we have to upkeep the offense? And do you think we need to replace Gunther defensively? And who do you see as HC?

[Hoover]

This is Saunders best time ever to get another HC position. There is no way he takes one for the team (again) to stay as our OC. He will either be our HC, or someone elses.

[Mecca]

The only way Al stays is if he's headcoach, I don't see it happening. I don't want Gunther back either, he didn't do well enough with the players he asked for to justify him returning.

I'm honestly kinda eh on who they're going to hire to be headcoach. I just hope the guy brings in an entire new defensive staff of coaches. They need to atleast be smart enough to keep a few of the offensive coaches and have the OC be someone who knows our offense.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by luv2rite

Agreed. So, do we...?

1. Get a defensively minded HC and hope that Al stays
2. Promote Al, and hope Gunther follows through
3. Promote Al, and hope he finds a new DC

I'm starting to lean towards liking Jeff Fisher if available, and only if Al will stay. Otherwise, I'm indecisive between options 2 and 3.

I'm really warming up to the idea of Al as HC, with Mike Solari as OC, and Dom Capers as DC.

Al won't stay in any other capacity.

Of course, I can almost gaurantee you that Carl will hire someone that I won't be happy with.

[redbrian]

Al Saunders will be a head coach next year.

There are 8 slots open at present (and more could open), if Al leaves, he will take most of the offensive coaching staff (and possibly a few key players) with him.

Several of the key players would rather move on or not come back than learn a new system leaving a decimated offense in need of major rebuilding.

To throw this offense out the window would be totally insane; to change this offensive scheme would be one of the dumbest moves in Chiefs history.

One of the things that the Chiefs brand of the Gibbs offense does not get enough credit for is the toughness of it.

All players including Trent are expected to block, it’s a smash mouth Air Coryell system if you will.

As far as running or passing at the right time there is no such thing in this system, the idea it to be so good at all aspects of the game that you keep the defense confused and unsure of it’s self.

If you pass or run “when you are supposed to” the advantage goes to the defense, this system is all about keeping the defense guessing as to what the hell you are going to do.

Personally I’d like to see Al get his reward and be given the head coaching position, I think Gunther has changed the mentality of the d and is on the right track. The key now is finding an OC who can operate this system to the standards set by Al, which would be a lot easer than rebuilding an entire team including players and coaches.

[Frankie]

Originally Posted by redbrian

Al Saunders will be a head coach next year.

There are 8 slots open at present (and more could open), if Al leaves, he will take most of the offensive coaching staff (and possibly a few key players) with him.

Several of the key players would rather move on or not come back than learn a new system leaving a decimated offense in need of major rebuilding.

To throw this offense out the window would be totally insane; to change this offensive scheme would be one of the dumbest moves in Chiefs history.

One of the things that the Chiefs brand of the Gibbs offense does not get enough credit for is the toughness of it.

All players including Trent are expected to block, it’s a smash mouth Air Coryell system if you will.

As far as running or passing at the right time there is no such thing in this system, the idea it to be so good at all aspects of the game that you keep the defense confused and unsure of it’s self.

If you pass or run “when you are supposed to” the advantage goes to the defense, this system is all about keeping the defense guessing as to what the hell you are going to do.

Personally I’d like to see Al get his reward and be given the head coaching position, I think Gunther has changed the mentality of the d and is on the right track. The key now is finding an OC who can operate this system to the standards set by Al, which would be a lot easer than rebuilding an entire team including players and coaches.

Good Post.

[luv]

Originally Posted by SideWinder

I'm really warming up to the idea of Al as HC, with Mike Solari as OC, and Dom Capers as DC.

Al won't stay in any other capacity.

Of course, I can almost gaurantee you that Carl will hire someone that I won't be happy with.

So, who won't you like? That way, we know who our options are.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by luv2rite

So, who won't you like? That way, we know who our options are.

Almost everybody else!

I am the resident hater!

[luv]

Originally Posted by SideWinder

Almost everybody else!

I am the resident hater!

Well now, that narrows it down a bunch.

[StcChief]

AS as our HC seems very likely.

Carl will go thru motions and interview others including the token and pick AS.

Solari as OC?

[milkman]

Originally Posted by nm_dbf

AS as our HC seems very likely.

Carl will go thru motions and interview others including the token and pick AS.

Solari as OC?

I don't think so.

The likelyhood of Al as our next HC is highly improbable.