Discussion on Mike Shanahan’s HOF Candidacy
Troy from Westminster, CO reflects on Wes’s mention of Mike Shanahan not yet being inducted into the Hall of Fame. He argues that Shanahan is one of the most overrated head coaches in recent history, pointing out that while he won two Super Bowls, during his 18-year coaching career afterward, he led teams to only one playoff victory. Out of 20 years, Shanahan’s teams made the playoffs just eight times—fewer than Bill Belichick’s Super Bowl appearances—and only secured a playoff win in three of those years. While acknowledging Shanahan’s offensive genius, Troy questions his greatness as a head coach.
Shanahan’s Coaching Legacy
There is more to consider regarding Shanahan, especially when examining the successful NFL head coaches who began their careers under him. However, the evidence you provided does not guarantee his induction. His candidacy deserves discussion alongside other two-time Super Bowl winners like Seifert and Coughlin, as well as 200-game victors Reeves and Schottenheimer. Though not all of them may belong in the Hall of Fame, their stories warrant consideration. Holmgren’s missed opportunity last year due to a voting change was particularly disheartening, as he might not have another chance unless the selection process significantly revises.
Vic’s Opinions on Belichick
On Wednesday, Anthony from Middleton suggested that Vic might disagree with the notion of Bill Belichick not being a first-ballot Hall of Famer. However, there are thoughts that Vic would argue otherwise, recalling that Vic often highlighted Belichick’s record before Tom Brady and implied that Brady was more critical to the Patriots’ success. Vic, how do you feel about Mike’s perspective?
Comparing Legacy of Coaches
Every time Vic described the Brady-Belichick debate, I would remind him of Chuck Noll, who only won two playoff games in nine years after Terry Bradshaw. Noll’s entire coaching tenure predated free agency. Moreover, Brady and Belichick reached three additional Super Bowls and won two after Vic’s time in Green Bay.
Coaching Changes in the NFL
Good morning, Mike. After the conclusion of the regular season, I inquired about the anticipated flurry of coaching changes, and your reply hinted at greater upheaval than usual. Did you ever imagine there would be ten head coaching openings? Also noteworthy is the ripple effect through coordinator and position coaching roles—it seems more substantial and widespread than ever.
Unprecedented Coaching Cycle
This year’s coaching cycle has indeed been surprising. I also didn’t expect so many teams to seek new head coaches simultaneously. I anticipate that more than half the teams will need new offensive coordinators by 2026. It’s quite a shift.
Player Recognition and Insights
Avoiding clickbait on nfl.com, I discovered intriguing articles listing unsung heroes from each team. Notably for Green Bay fans, Evan Williams was highlighted as the player of interest. Additionally, seeing former Packers like Eric Stokes, Rasul Douglas, and Eric Wilson mentioned was a nice touch.
Future of NFL Player Resting
When pondering if the NFL shifts to an 18-game season, I wonder if teams will rest players to preserve their health as the season progresses. While this might not be as overt as in the NBA, any minor injury could justify resting a player for a week. Is this a plausible scenario?
Referee Review Limitations
Transitioning to 18 games might not drastically alter that perspective, but with a potential increase to 20 games and no preseason, it’s a different story.
Officiating Controversies
Last weekend’s championship games were thrilling and hinged on pivotal moments, including a critical third-down sack on Matthew Stafford. It was clear on TV—and confirmed by slow-motion—that Stafford was tackled by the facemask, yet no penalty was issued. Can the ‘eye in the sky’ communicate with on-field referees to address missed calls, and if not, why not?
Replay Assist Limitations
While replay assist was available this past season to correct a wrongly called facemask, it could not be utilized to flag a facemask that went uncalled. This highlights how limited the NFL remains in these matters, as it hesitates to make all safety rules reviewable—a change that may take a long time to implement.
