San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
No great teams makes COY tough call
Sez Me … The way most NFL owners operate their organizations — which is more hack Lizzy Borden than surgical Michael Debakey — the day may come when the Coach of the Year will be the one out of 32 who wasn’t fired. Probably Pittsburgh’s.
Or, perhaps, one who’s taken his millions and looking for a coordinator job to keep busy.
The award, which accounts only for regular-season results (no reason winning a championship should matter), looks close-up-magician tricky this season.
I don’t have a vote, but my guess is, the first thing those who have one should ask themselves is: “Who did he beat?”
If anyone coached a great team in 2022, he should be the automatic winner. But there was not a great team. Not so much as a near-great team. So that’s out.
Which also means no coach beat a great or near-great team. So that’s out.
You are what your schedule said you were.
But the way the game is now, if somehow a great team develops, it won’t be one the following year. The Rams, who were very good, not great, won the Super Bowl in February, and now are the Also-rams. And the way L.A.’S pony has been set up to do one trick, that Lombardi Trophy is going to be home alone for a while.
The award often goes to a coach who Horatio Algered a team up from the sewer. And, most of the time it should, although keeping a club at the top often can be more difficult than getting there.
The list of 2022 COY candidates could be long.
Bill Belichick isn’t going to win, but he hasn’t done much better than what he did, getting eight wins out of his group of unmatched offensive socks. The Patriots’ defense was outstanding.
There’s the 49ers’ Kyle Shanahan, who used three different quarterbacks and won his last 10 games — the final five with rookie Brock Purdy, the 2022 draft’s Mr. Irrelevant. And he’s had the best defense, which comes in handy after the holidays.
Philadelphia’s Nick Sirianni, Kansas City’s Andy Reid, Buffalo’s Sean Mcdermott, Cincinnati’s Zac Taylor and Shanahan have coached the best teams.
You have to love the job former Aztecs QB Kevin O’connell did as rookie boss in Minnesota, taking an 8-9 Vikings team to 13 wins — despite getting outscored overall by five points.
Pete Carroll, who dumped Russell Wilson on Denver during the offseason, resurrected the career of Geno Smith and made the playoffs.
Another freshman, Brian Daboll, has done great work with the Giants, pulling the talent out of QB Daniel Jones and making the playoffs.
Dan Campbell, a coach’s coach, has gone into the den where the Lions have been hibernating for more than a half-century and awakened the beasts.
Doug Peterson has done wonders in Jacksonville — and cracked Trevor Lawrence out of his shell.
Of course, the award guarantees nothing. Among the winners since 2000, five remain with the same clubs — including the last three, who should be waiting to be canned.
Shanahan probably will get it.
But, winners with players? Who cares?
My choice for COY already has been given The Big Haircut, Houston’s Lovie Smith. Love Lovie, who lost his massagehappy quarterback and had his kids playing to win through the finale vs. Indianapolis.
He managed three wins and a tie out of the Texans’ Division II roster provided him by a Stooges organization before being told to bring in his laptop and that his pink slip was showing. …
Know who would be a great NFL head coach, with amazing press conferences? George Santos. “This is my dream job — except when I ran the Third Army during WWII.” …
It appears Kyler Murray will have a say in hiring the next Arizona head coach. The Diamondbacks? …
Aaron Rodgers refused to give his game jersey to a Packers receiver after the loss to Detroit, saying: “I don’t give my clothing to strangers.” …
Did you notice Christian Mccaffrey look up at the video board while being chased Saturday during his 66-yard run? …
Judases made a huge mistake allowing Uchenna Nwosu to walk. …
Dominique Foxworth says
Jerry Jones may not want to fire Mike Mccarthy in favor of Sean Payton because, if the Cowboys win a Super Bowl with Sean, JJ won’t get the credit. Smartest thing I heard all week. …
Sean Mcvay has made his career blunder. He’s staying with the Rams. …
Unless of course, Sean wants to be traded to another team for all the draft choices L.A. used to win a Super Bowl and sell its future. …
Alex Grinch will be retained as USC’S defensive coordinator, which would seem to be similar to Bobby Beathard telling
Kevin Gilbride: “Great job.” …
But defensive players are walking through the transfer portal to Troy as if it were Ellis Island. …
Per Mr. Source: The real reason why New Mexico State’s football team has backed out of its 2023 season opener with San Diego State? The Aggies’ defensive staff threatened to quit if it had to study the Aztecs’ offensive game film. …
All this bitching over local college hoopsters winning without covering spreads. Don’t bet. …
Padres do well in signing
Nelson Cruz on the cheap, but he’s also another Fernando Tatis Jr. caregiver. A male nanny is a manny. They have a
Manny to keep an eye on Fernando. Next, if all else fails, Luca Brasi .…
When I hear the Pads have signed Trevor Bauer, I’ll know
Peter Seidler sold the club to the Kansas City Chiefs. …
“I want to play for a team that doesn’t buy championships.” That’s Carlos Correa, admitted cheating trash can banger and serial physical flunker. …
Saw this: The Mets’ Buck Showalter has been named the most handsome baseball manager in yet another poll by somebody. Unfair. The voting took place prior to Bruce Bochy joining the Rangers. …
Jan. 1, 1980. Rose Bowl. No. 3 USC 17, No. 1 Ohio State 16. Incredibly tough Heisman tailback overcomes sophomore QB Art Schlichter in the fourth quarter. Fullback Marcus Allen, Heisman-winning tailback two years later, tells me in the locker room: “I knew we were going to win when I saw the light in
Charles White’s eyes.” RIP, Charles. Great player. …
Maybe the two best football games I’ve seen in person were back-to-back — the Jim Mcmahon Holiday Bowl and that Rose. …
A sequel to “The Passion of the Christ” is being planned. Working title has to be, “The Passion of the Christ: Iind Coming.” …
Congrats to Jay Privman,
The Horse Listener, for his Special Eclipse Award. First race writer to expose Mr. Ed .…
I’d like to see the Ham & Eggers live in the areas of San Diego they hope to overpopulate and ruin, and either ride bikes or take non-public transportation to work. …
You can take everything in my kitchen, even the sink. Except the gas stove. …
I have returned all classified documents, except maybe a few yellowed anonymous source notes. …
What if skydivers jumped at 5,000 feet into the Broncos’ stadium? …
Prince Harry says he’ll never return to the Royal Family — unless he grows tired of working. …
There for a while, I was afraid TCU, under extreme torture, might give up my age — or IQ — to Georgia.
sezme.godfather@gmail.com Twitter: @sdutcanepa
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Last week
The Padres have said they have zero interest in signing Trevor Bauer. Should they consider him? 1. Yes, 83 (20)
2. No, 326 (80 percent)