Bear Hands

Recap of candidates, seems like it's a field of 9..am I missing anyone? O Ken Dorsey Ben Johnson Mike Kafka Frank Reich Shane Steichen Jim Caldwell Kellen Moore D Steve Wilks Demeco Ryans

Luke Schoonmaker is a midround TE to follow. He's one I'm excited to see in the Shrine Bowl. Remember hearing from Dan Brugler or someone that he's a guy teams have had their eyes on. Could go higher than expected. Overall, a pretty nice TE class.

Absolutely love Kincaid.

Fun little flashback to the Senior Bowl:

It wouldn't be out of pity, I'm saying if a guy is hired who has a background with him, I can realistically see a convo with an older coworker coming in with the desire to work with him again. Not pity, just acknowledging he's a good coach and you want to keep him around. Ron had him in that AHC/Secondary role for a reason. He basically ran our practices from 2014-2017. I'll admit it's a reach, probably not happening anyways & get what you're saying.

I see what you're saying but that type of scenario wouldn't come about in a way like that. And it's pretty clear Wilks isn't getting hired anywhere else, not hearing much interest so I imagine if a new hire asks him to consider staying with his guys, he could consider it.

Yep, I'm speaking to a Dorsey HC, Wilks AHC/DC duo

Rivers and Brees are both just chilling away around Del Mar & Rancho Santa Fe. Good old' north county SD

Defensive names around the league he could recruit to his staff that he's worked with: CIN: Mark Duffner (part of Taylor's CIN crew stemming back to their days in Miami with Dan Campbell), he's old but could advise. Jordan Kovacs (LB Coach) is the young gun, who was a player that followed Zac Taylor and became a coach. Been VERY impressed with the Bengals LBs (Logan Wilson is awesome) TB: Kacy Rodgers - DL Coach/Run Game Coordinator MIN/LSU: Daronte Jones - DB Coach DAL: George Edwards - Senior Assistant MIA: Steve Gregory - Safeies Coach (Former player, up and comer) College: Al Golden (ND's DC), Luke Kuechly Offense wise, I love what Randle El has done with St Brown, Raymond, Reynolds, Chark, etc. Would be fun to see if he could follow or who else on offense would like Brunell. Did have some overlap with Bevell in reverse with MIA and DET.

Given Dorsey & Wilks have about 6 years of experience together, there may be something there that could be a package. Then part of Panthers Nord returns to the QC. It's like poetry as George Lucas would say. Kafka is pretty interesting and I really didn't see that coming. Ben Johnson is undoubtedly as well. I think those may be my top three scenarios in no particular order. I thought Shane Waldron would get looks but that's been quiet. Dan Quinn could call up Bevell & Bradley and get the old Seattle crew back together, but I'm unsure if I'd want that; certainly interesting.

He's got a Super Bowl ring, lovely new wife, established his own coaching tree, has a great spot in LA, and could make $15 mil+ EASY annually working for Fox Sports as a coaching out. Being a year younger than him, if I put myself in his shoes, there's no feasible amount of money that could send me elsewhere out of that setup.

McVay is doing what McVay wants. I think the dude is just taking a breather, could return to LA, may take a break, focus on his new wife, but I doubt he's eyeing a move from his 9,000 sf Santa Monica mansion to Charlotte, NC.

If it's a fairly easy negotiation and we can get him under 5 to compliment a rookie QB deal, then I guess? He's a backup who you can win some games with, depending on the matchup. The entire QB market is beyond slim pickings. The other options are basically Cooper Rush, Gardner Minshew, Mike White, Taylor Heinicke, Jacoby Brissett, Drew Lock & Mason Rudolph. We don't need to pay Jimmy G or Daniel Jones, those guys can go elsewhere.

Yep. Can imagine some of these guys will have certain things down, but then there's probably a ton of nuances that they can only improve upon with experience and having the right guys around them. Some of these guys have been around some pretty esteemed or diverse staffs, others, do have quite brief stints so far. Daboll is a good example of a guy that interfaced with a ton of different coaching trees and circles. Has likely built off some great mentors and experience. Then you look at Steichen; he was pretty much with Mike McCoy, Frank Reich and Siriani his whole career. It's a pretty siloed group. And he's supposedly a pretty awkward guy. Is he really a guy that can manage things Monday through Thursday? Interesting questions to rummage through this fine Tuesday

This is the first time in our history we're building a staff without Bill Polian or Marty Hurney's advice. Pretty refreshing. I know people are down about Tepper's first hire, but let's see what Fitt and him can drum up this time around. I'm hopeful.

Also notable: With Harbaugh likely out of consideration, there are no overhyped college guys cluttering up the cycle. Heavy with young, offensive minds and a few really promising DCs like Ryans and Evero.

Wilks could be talking to Tepper at this very moment. Big morning in the QC

Yeah gotta keep reasonable expectations no matter the hire. This past season was a refreshing change, can be credited to some walking into pretty good situations. Though I do give each a ton of credit. Daboll especially. O'Connell 13-4 Daboll 10-7 McDaniel 9-8

My biggest takeaway: Who's Larnel Coleman and when did we sign him? haha

The Athletic Football Show is going to have a big spread on all major candidates today. Should be a good one.

For all we know, we could love her. Maybe she told Dave that Rhule smelled of BS and because of her accurate assessment he's involving her more. And this time we've got the GM in place. Or maybe Fitt is just saying this because she'll be a part of some interviews. Who knows, not much we can do with their process. At the end of the day, Tepper said he learned some lessons per that link above so let's not get bent out of shape for no reason. Again, not much we can do anyways.

Didn't realize the bit about his fam member. That's awful. Between Damar, Hillis, there's a lot to remind us these are fellow humans at the end of the day.

The big wildcard is if Atlanta, Detroit, Seattle or Indy make a move for #1 or 3. I can see Seattle sticking with Geno, Lions with Goff. Houston will likely be staying put. Vegas sounds like they're on the veteran front. Chicago: Jalen Carter (Trade down possible but interior D is a huge need) Houston: QB1 - Bryce Young Arizona: Will Anderson (Again trade down is possible but an edge rusher is a huge need for them) Indy: QB2 - Stroud or Levis Seattle: DEFENSE - If no QB, they have a young OL, Walker, Geno, Metcalf, Locket, & Fant Detroit: DEFENSE - Again, a promising OL, Goff, 2 RBs, Hock, & 3+ legit WRs Vegas: They are the annual wildcard. They could go so many different routes. Atlanta: Allgeier looks great, London & Pitts are in place, if they don't like Ridder, than a QB is definitely possible. They're a wildcard, especially ahead of us for other trade ups. -- This makes me think we're in clear range for Richardson but if Houston is nervous about a QB via Bears trade, then I can see a rare 1 & 2 swap. Then the question is if we want to just make the trade with Arizona for #3 and get ourselves Stroud. Given Fitt's presser, I just have a feeling they're willing to make a huge swing for a top QB this year and not mess around with the 3rd-5th best available FA, a middling trade candidate, or a 2nd-3rd rounder. My bet is on Stroud at 3 or Richardson at 9.

Cory Littleton played every game this year and I don't think I ever heard his name called. He's one of the quieter talents I've ever seen at the LB spot for us.

"Moooommmm, get off the phone"