Gruden to Return to ESPN

[SBXVII]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

My top notch Gruden source reminds me that he's told me for weeks now Gruden's not coming here. I had my doubts briefly though. I don't the specifics of his deal off-hand but an out before the end of next season is very unlikely.

Snyder will, I'm sure, make another very strong push for Shanahan (which means Kyle Shanahan and Bob Slowik as well probably).

Cowher is always a name that's floated around, but I think Snyder has kind of cooled on him

I've never heard Billick's name mentioned quite honestly, but I just have a feeling about him

Mooch's name is often floated around but I think that's more so because he (and Bruce Allen) seem to "consult" often with the Redskins front office. But he really doesn't want to leave the west coast if he doesn't have to.

I still wouldn't rule out Gruden even though I don't want him. But a Holmgren/Gruden team might be interesting. I just don't see Holmgren being the type to put DS in his place if he meddles too much.

I get the feeling there is some deal already in place for Shanahan. Just a feeling I have. Shanahan probably refused to take the job mid season saying he won't be able to fix it until off season when he can bring in his coach's he needs and wants and players for his system.

I thought Cowher might take the job sense his daughter went to like George Mason or something like that. He would be relatively close for any activities she might be a part of but I think all that has cooled. I don't see him working for the Browns. He has a decent image and it's all over the Steelers, he would piss off a lot of people if he jumped ship to the Browns. I can see him heading west or working for a NFC team which would not be a Steeler rival. Perhaps Carolina which has been a topic of discussion.

Mooch. Hmm. Wasn't he interviewed for the job the last go around and eventually he stated he turned the opportunity down? Again I just don't see Mooch leaving the west coast and working for DS. Not a bad pick if he has the right help other wise pass.

Fassel is always a candidate. He is despirate to get back into football. Snubbed twice and I bet he would interview again for the job. It's not that I don't like him, it's just I don't like him. I never saw what he brought to the table for the Giants. I wondered through his yrs there why the Giants held on to him so long. Pass.

Billick. Honeslty he reminds me of Fassel. He might not tolerate being interviewed and snubbed even once but he always seemed to struggle with the Ravens offense. Oh their defenses were #1 but how much of that was his DC's doing. Billick just couldn't get an offense to take flight.

Ok so "if" my personal feeling about these candidates were remotely close, now who do we pick? I don't know. I have made no bones about who I think they should bring in but I also know they won't. Marty would put the prima dona's in their places and be able to tell DS he's not going to tolerate his meddling. Plus Marty is supposed to be good friends with him now since DS's wife had her breast cancer and Marty gave him a name of a good doctor. Both have the wives and cancer issues in common so their would be something in common. Having said that would DS actually eat crow and bring in Marty....most likely no. I'd be supprised if he did.

Other then that I don't know who would be a candidate. I guess getting the top notch GM would be better and letting him bring in a HC he knows he can count on.