Grading the NFL Coaches: NFC

A good coach is always a plus on any football team, but the best coach is not necessarily a decisive handicapping edge in any one particular football game. It's too easy for the oddsmaker to neutralize a coach's perceived value with a higher pointspread.

However, over the course of the entire season, when injuries, controversies, and rugged schedules become important factors, the true ability, strength, and character of a coach are revealed, usually in overall pointspread success.

Here is how I currently grade the NFC coaches. (AFC grades will be forthcoming in the next issue.)

Jon Gruden, Tampa Bay – A-: Despite Al Davis' bothersome meddling and second-guessing, Gruden resurrected the whining Oakland players, re-established the pride of "The Raider Nation," and took his aging team into a January blizzard in Foxboro last season, coming within one or two "miracle plays" of getting to the Super Bowl. Has Gruden actually passed mentor Mike Holmgren, who has a Super Bowl win under his belt? Considering the above, I think so.

Andy Reid, Philadelphia – B+: His development of Donovan McNabb into a playoff-winning QB has been excellent. Despite some "holes" on his team, Reid nearly beat the Rams in St. Louis last season, almost making the Super Bowl in only his third year. He's tough, but is respected by players.

Mike Holmgren, Seattle – B+: He's moving to the NFC West this year. He used to be an "A," but was stubborn (he admits it) and arrogant (I'll admit it for him) in sticking with the banged-up, youthful, and pressing Matt Hasselbeck at QB late last year when backup Trent Dilfer had won every start. He previously got caught without enough defense. He got his "total control" in Seattle, then screwed up the G.M. part.

Dan Reeves, Atlanta – B+: He's a better coach than a G.M./personnel guy. He's smart and thorough, but so dry. He could really use a Dale Carnegie course on how to win friends. He can't get his best teams over the hump. However, when his teams are healthy, never underrate them when made an underdog.

Mike Sherman, Green Bay – B: He had no previous head-coaching experience. He's a good strategist, but is still learning how to be a "general" rather than a "colonel."

Mike Martz, St. Louis – B: He's an offensive mastermind, but he's often too smart for his own good. It's possible that the Rams could have won three straight Super Bowls. Martz's initial approach in 2000 and his overconfidence in 2001 were factors that help explain why the Rams have won only one – and that came under Dick Vermeil.

Steve Mariucci, San Francisco – B: He's always positive and upbeat. He's a former QB from Northern Michigan who finds it easy to excel on offense, but not on defense. Like Reid, he's a disciple of Mike Holmgren, but "Mooch" lacks the respected toughness of Reid. He has an excellent chance to improve his grade as he learns to appreciate the value of defense.

Dick Jauron, Chicago – B: He's quiet and respected. He inspires his players somehow, but not the media. Were all those narrow wins last year lucky, or a harbinger of more to come?

Steve Spurrier, Washington – B: Although he is a rookie NFL head coach, Spurrier is not a rookie head coach. Thus, I rank him ahead of at least the remaining guys on the list. He's been out of pro football for a while, but remember, before Florida, Spurrier won the ACC title at Duke! Yes, he's brash, funny, and arrogant, but he knows what he wants, and knows how to teach the fine details so that his players can deliver it. And he's smart enough to leave his defense in the hands of experts.

Jim Fassel, N.Y. Giants – B: He's still a "strange bird" after five years. He's competent, but is inconsistent in his strategy and in driving his players. He was badly out-coached in the Super Bowl against Baltimore. He's not very inspirational, but talks better than he coaches.

Jim Haslett, New Orleans – B-: He was on his way to a higher grade when he "lost his team" at the end of last season after reportedly being too abrasive too many times. He's young enough to improve, but is he smart enough?

Dave McGinnis, Arizona – B-: He's a Texan who employs lots of college-style emotion. He demands a good effort, and is still learning.

Dave Campo, Dallas – C+: Among other things, Campo must deal with the omnipresent intrusions of Jerry Jones. But, he has become more decisive and less intimidated each year. He could move up.

Marty Mornhinweg, Detroit – D: He was on his way to an "F" last year (the Lions lost their first 12 games). He alienated many of the players early. He force-fed his team changes, many of which were not such good ideas. He ended up with lots of square pegs in round holes. But, he went 8-3-1 in the last 12 games as a dog. He's another Holmgren clone, and can improve.

John Fox, Carolina – Incomplete: This will be his first year as a head coach. But, as a defensive coordinator, he was solid and steady, and got his charges to play hard. He has sound fundamental ideas, but can he build an offense?

Mike Tice, Minnesota – Incomplete: He's also a first-year head coach. He's a tough, jut-jawed former TE and offensive line coach. He's smart, except for when he humiliated the laboring Korey Stringer last year into going too far.

Chuck Sippl is the senior editor of the Gold Sheet, the first word in sports handicapping for 46 years. The Gold Sheet's popular football preview issue will be on newsstands in late June, covering the NFL, college football, and exhibition play with inside reports, statistical breakdowns, logs, and upcoming schedules. For more information, call the Gold Sheet at (800) 798-GOLD (4653), and be sure to say you read about it in Card Player. You can look up the Gold Sheet on the web at www.goldsheet.com.