On Mike Shanahan and Gary Kubiak

by MattRichWarren on Nov 20, 2009 9:22 AM EST Comment 27 comments

So nobody has brought this up yet so I'll throw it out there even though I don't like the idea of Shanahan as GM/HC. We'll put that to the side for a minute and talk about if he does get hired here.

Currently the Houston Texans are sitting at 5-4 and out of the playoffs in the AFC with a game against the surging Titans this week and a date with the Colts the following week. They also have yet to play the Dolphins and the Patriots at the end of the year. If the Texans lose three of those games they will certainly finish out of the playoffs potentially costing Gary Kubiak his job after four years at the helm.

When Shanahan gets hired by his new team his first call would undoubtedly be to Kubiak to be his Offensive Coordinator if he is available. Now this really intrigues me. Kubiak has been incredibly successful as an OC. Even when the Broncos defense was struggling Kubiak's offense was firing on all cylinders and with a variety of quarterbacks. Not to mention his blocking schemes opened up lanes for a menagerie of running backs' thousand-yard seasons. He seems like he'd bring an offense I'd really like to Buffalo.

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A step further...

Shanahan as GM and Kubiak as HC.

The Dick Jauron version of the K-Gun...the Squirt Gun.

by ChipShot on Nov 20, 2009 10:34 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I don’t particularly like that arrangement mainly because I don’t like either part of it. :-)

"Play like hell and win." - Perry Fewell

by MattRichWarren on Nov 20, 2009 11:43 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

A big part of Shanahan success can be attributed to Kubiak and his schemes, as I wrote in the other post about the team contacting Shanahan. Why not just skip the middle-man and take Kubiak by himself? Since when has Shanahan had proven success as a GM-only-not-HC?

by gabefarkas on Nov 20, 2009 1:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

…That’s like asking when Bill Cowher has had success as a GM-only-not-HC… He’s never tried.

Bills fan? In Colorado? It's more likely than you think.

by UZ on Nov 20, 2009 2:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Kubiak would be a great hire, but would Ralph pay what he would demand?

Also, I wouldn’t count the Texans out of the playoffs so soon. Looking at their schedule, they will probably finish the year 9-7 or 10-6. If so, you don’t fire the coach that delivers the first winning season in franchise history, even if you don’t make the post season party. Next year the expectations will be higher. Barring a Jauronesque collapse, Kubiak’s job is safe this season, IMHO.

"They're Killin' Me Whitey. They're Killin' Me" -- Lou Saban

by NJBill on Nov 20, 2009 10:34 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I’m not writing it off. Just saying it’s a possibility.

"Play like hell and win." - Perry Fewell

by MattRichWarren on Nov 20, 2009 11:43 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

"Jauronesque"

I love it. Use it twice more and it’s ours to keep!

by gabefarkas on Nov 20, 2009 1:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Actually, I think Ralph is more than willing to pay, it’s just a matter of whether the ‘big guns’ are willing to accept that gig here in B-Lo.

by BillsfanfromDenmark on Nov 20, 2009 11:11 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Great point

To be honest I was never a very big Shanahan fan but I certainly cannot argue with the offensive production his teams have had. His ability to build strong O-Lines and excellent run blocking would be huge in Buffalo. What I fear the most of Shanny is that he is very full of himself and doesn’t seem to realize how bad he sucks at running the defensive side. He doesn’t draft defensive players well and he doesn’t choose Defensive coordinators well. But I think he gives us the best chance at a quick turnaround. I especially love the idea of bringing his style of offense to Buffalo, especially since we have Lynch & Jackson with two young & mean interior linemen, a phenomenal athlete at TE and a few very good receivers (Lee is well above average and I remain quite hopeful that Johnson and Hardy will pan out). We are a QB and LT away from being able to produce offensively.

I really like your point about Shanny & Kubiak, I’m on board!

I have nothing left to say, these Bills have sucked me dry of any hope. Loosing to a team that completes 2-17 for 23y with 1 INT, that is beyond pitiful!

by keysh67 on Nov 20, 2009 11:52 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

what if we retained Fewell as DC?

would that make a difference to you?

by gabefarkas on Nov 20, 2009 1:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I kinda like Fewel, I like the fact that he seems way more alive and passionate that old dicky did. I must admit that I am not a huge fan of the Tampa 2 but in the same sentence I have to admit that our Defense has played good enough to keep us in almost every game. Had our offense been clicking and the defense could have gotten more rest I am certain we could have prevailed. So YES I think Fewel would be a good choice for DC, as long as he continues to be aggressive. He needs to vastly improve the Linebacking core, which is extremely weak IMO

I have nothing left to say, these Bills have sucked me dry of any hope. Loosing to a team that completes 2-17 for 23y with 1 INT, that is beyond pitiful!

by keysh67 on Nov 20, 2009 2:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think the Tampa 2 might have been more Jauron’s idea than Fewells, but I don’t know.

Bills fan? In Colorado? It's more likely than you think.

by UZ on Nov 20, 2009 5:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

More Fewell than Jauron from what I hear. Fewell is the one that worked under Lovie Smith in St Louis and Chicago running it.

"Play like hell and win." - Perry Fewell

by MattRichWarren on Nov 20, 2009 5:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Why would he go back to being a DC here though? They passed him over once for the head job so why would he stay around?

"Play like hell and win." - Perry Fewell

by MattRichWarren on Nov 20, 2009 4:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

because he knows he is not ready to be a HC and loves the weather????????

I would say there is a better chance the new HC fires his a$$.

"Are the Bills better than we think, or do they just suck the life out of most teams they play and drag them down to their level? - oompaloompa

by Joe P. on Nov 20, 2009 5:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

LOL

"Play like hell and win." - Perry Fewell

by MattRichWarren on Nov 20, 2009 5:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

why not?

He accepted being the interim knowing there would be big names coming in for interviews. He knows that his chances are remote at best. So if he doesn’t get the job and doesn’t get it anywhere else and the new HC wants to keep him, why not? For the same money, might as well stay put.

I have nothing left to say, these Bills have sucked me dry of any hope. Loosing to a team that completes 2-17 for 23y with 1 INT, that is beyond pitiful!

by keysh67 on Nov 20, 2009 9:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well first, Shanahan is rumored to be looking to move to a 3-4. Marty would switch too as would Cowher. What of the big names run a Cover 2 let alone a 4-3? Leslie Frazier does.

"Play like hell and win." - Perry Fewell

by MattRichWarren on Nov 20, 2009 9:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly.....which is why I said Fewell will get fired. And, Frazier is not a "big name" candidate, IMO

Not that I am opposed to Frazier, but he is an unknown as a HC and not a hot name as a HC candidate yet this year. Now, if the Vikes go deep into the playoff, maybe. But, with the talent on that roster, I could coach the defense :-)

"Are the Bills better than we think, or do they just suck the life out of most teams they play and drag them down to their level? - oompaloompa

by Joe P. on Nov 20, 2009 9:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Don Banks placed him in the upper echelon this week in his post-Jauron article. And my point was that none of those really big name guys run a 4-3 except Holmgren.

"Play like hell and win." - Perry Fewell
Your daily source for Buffalo Bills information.

by MattRichWarren on Nov 20, 2009 10:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

yes.....I was agreeing with you on the 4-3 thing.

"Are the Bills better than we think, or do they just suck the life out of most teams they play and drag them down to their level? - oompaloompa

by Joe P. on Nov 21, 2009 8:50 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That's not what you said

You implied why would he go back meaning that it would be Fewel wanting to leave…

I have nothing left to say, these Bills have sucked me dry of any hope. Loosing to a team that completes 2-17 for 23y with 1 INT, that is beyond pitiful!

by keysh67 on Nov 21, 2009 11:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh I still believe that he could never go back to being a DC here.

"Play like hell and win." - Perry Fewell
Your daily source for Buffalo Bills information.

by MattRichWarren on Nov 23, 2009 11:44 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I’ll buy it, but agree on keysh’s point on Shanny’s lack of humble nature. I want Buffalo to be a smash mouth team that can run on anyone and set up play action with a D that is stifling: Pittsburgh scheme, Buffalo style. I hope Shanny understands his shortcomings as a D man, and gets a real effective DC.

Delightfully Ignoring The Truth since 1995.

by NeverendingOptimism on Nov 20, 2009 1:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

It’d be a nice combo, MRW, but I doubt Kubiak could do much with our offense right now. Though the O-line should be improved next year with Wood, Levitre and Bell logging a year in a NFL offseason strength training program, the team still doesn’t have anyone near the talent of Andre Johnson and Matt Shaub. I still don’t believe any coach will succeed with this team without an influx of on-field talent.

by Mark Parisi on Nov 21, 2009 5:58 PM EST reply actions 0 recs