Grading the NFC Coaches - Evaluation of NFL Coaches

In the last issue, we graded this year's AFC coaches. In this issue, it's the NFC's turn. Bear in mind, the usual proviso exists: The coaching superiority factor, in and of itself, is usually not enough to determine the outcome of your wager (for example, if the spread were New England 35.5, I'd go against Bill Belichick every game). But the coaching edge is a key factor to be considered, especially in certain pointspread situations or when a team is suffering through some adversity.



Bill Parcells, Dallas – A: Few coaches are as thorough or as prepared for any and every situation. No one better understands what it takes to win NFL games. However, has the two-time Super Bowl winner been making the mistake in Dallas of bringing in too many of his older former players (for example, Keyshawn Johnson, Vinny Testaverde, Drew Bledsoe, and so on) because of their previous loyal service? I believe, yes.



Andy Reid, Philadelphia – A-: Four straight NFC title games gets him the "A" part. His failure to grab even one ring, plus his curious fourth-quarter play-calling in the Super Bowl, earns him the minus.



John Fox, Carolina – A-: He came close to beating the Patriots two years ago in the Super Bowl and came close to making the playoffs last year with a decimated team despite a 1-7 start. He's smart because he keeps things simple. He was 14-2 as a dog the last two years (but only 5-14 when favored).



Jon Gruden, Tampa Bay – B+: His Bucs were nailed by the post-Super Bowl syndrome in 2003 and by the injury bug last year. Although he's still very clever with the playbook, Gruden must now prove he can fight his way back from the downturn and personnel turnover of the last two seasons.



Joe Gibbs, Washington – B+: This Hall-of-Fame former "A" coach had problems adapting after being away from the game for more than a decade. Granted, expectations in DC last year were unreasonably high. But, Gibbs gets docked for trying to fit his players (for example, Clinton Portis) into his system, rather than vice versa, and for counting on past-his-prime QB Mark Brunell.



Mike Holmgren, Seattle – B: He's still as good as they come when it comes to dissecting opposing defenses. But, his grade has been slipping because of questionable personnel decisions made when also wearing the G.M. hat, and because of his failure to construct a top-rung defense. He lost three times (and failed to cover any) to the Rams last year!



Steve Mariucci, Detroit – B: He has tried to make do with a young team handicapped by key injuries his first two seasons in Detroit, and he's had the long-contract freedom to do so. He's poised to ascend because of his rapport and motivational skills with young 21st-century players.



Tom Coughlin, New York Giants – B: Don't judge Coughlin by the Giants' 2004 injury-wrecked 6-10 season. He kept his players from quitting down the stretch despite being out of contention and with a rookie QB (Eli Manning) learning under duress. Coughlin must show that he now knows when to ease up so that his players won't tune him out.



Mike Sherman, Green Bay – B: He's probably in over his head in the dual role of coach and G.M. He employs questionable strategy at times. Has lost two playoff games at Lambeau, and nearly three! Does Bret Favre make Sherman look better than he is?



Jim Mora Jr., Atlanta – B: He impressed in 2004 with his energy, poise, leadership, and confidence in his first season, which was made easier by the presence of Michael Vick. His Falcons led the league in rushing and in sacks. He's very upwardly mobile if he can improve Vick's passing.



Mike Martz, St. Louis – B-: Admittedly, I'm down on Martz, because he loveth his offensive pyrotechnics too much; he dismisses critics as unknowledgeable. He sometimes outthinks himself, losing some games his team should win. The defense fell apart last year without Lovie Smith.



Dennis Green, Arizona – B-: He's as glib as they come – but too full of himself. He benched his starting QB last season after two straight wins, then lost the next three games, scoring 8 points per game.



Lovie Smith, Chicago – B-: Somehow, he won five games in an injury-wrecked rookie season in which star defender Brian Urlacher was never himself and QB Rex Grossman was lost for the year in game three. However, counting on young Grossman without a solid backup was a negative.



Mike Tice, Minnesota – C+: He's easily capable of a higher grade, but must prove it after starting 6-0 and 5-1 the last two years, then failing to win the division title each time. He never properly controlled Randy Moss, so that unique talent is gone to Oakland.



Jim Haslett, New Orleans – D: He virtually acknowledged that many of his players tried to get him fired last season. They would have succeeded with some of their woeful performances, save for the fact that Tom Benson lacks some of the other owners' billionaire bucks to replace him.



Mike Nolan, San Francisco – Incomplete: The 45-year-old son of former San Francisco mentor Dick Nolan (1968-75) gets his first head job after 17 years on NFL staffs, most recently as the defensive coordinator of the Ravens. My feeling? A rookie head coach might not be the best choice for an undermanned, underfunded rebuilding team that's being pressured to start a rookie QB (Alex Smith) who played only two years of college, both as a shotgun QB in a spread offense.



Chuck Sippl is the senior editor of The Gold Sheet, the first word in sports handicapping for 48 years. The amazingly compact Gold Sheet features analysis of every football and basketball game, exclusive insider reports, widely followed Power Ratings, and a Special Ticker of key injuries and team chemistry. Start your handicapping with the extraordinary 2005 Gold Sheet College & Pro Football Annual, now available on newsstands nationwide. Or, you can reserve your copy by calling The Gold Sheet at (800)-798-GOLD (4653), and be sure to mention you read about it in Card Player. You can look up The Gold Sheet on the web at www.goldsheet.com.