Raiders want to interview Joe Whitt for DC

"Hello, Reggie? This is Mike McCarthy. About Joe Whitt... No."

I fail to see how that wouldn't piss off a coach and breed resentment. Essentially MM is denying more $$$ & status to a coach. To put it so chikky would understand, that's like making someone stay at the drive-thru window instead of allowing them to become THE fry guy.

If he goes, they'll probably just give Darren Perry the title of "defensive backs coach" and find him an assistant instead of continuing to divide the job into CB and S coaches.

If that coach is currently under contract with the Packers, MM has every right to expect him to honor that contract.

Whitt would be free to go be a DC when his contract expires.

There has to be some kind of structure for teams to be able to keep their coaches. I am not seeing how every team that has a couple good seasons being gutted of coaching talent all the time is leading to a better overall NFL product on the field.

Some teams are good about letting guys go get promotions, it can sometimes lead to having a malcontent on your staff if you hold a guy back from it.

Bigger question would be is he ready for that kind of position and if he fails at it does another team give him a shot or does that spin his career into the crapper? I suppose only one way to find out.

Edger Bennett was mentioned as one of MM asst's that is being groomed for bigger things as evidenced that he has held multiple asst positions. Has Whitt done the same thing ? I can't recall but I dont think he's been in charge of more then one defensive position.

As for MM having the right to put the KY-bash on the interview, agree with FS. He has every right to keep his asst's intact. No offense to Reggie but it should not be a penalty to the Packers if he's trying to clear the pantry of our coaches. He can find his own out there. MM needs to do what he needs to do.

quote:

Originally posted by Shoeless Joe: To put it so chikky would understand, that's like making someone stay at the drive-thru window instead of allowing them to become THE fry guy.

Swing and a miss. I don't get your analogy.

At some point the contracts of assistant coaches need to be honored.

How can a HC be expected to want the job and put together a staff for a long term plan if tradition dictates that the HC must always allow his assistants to leave if they get a better offer.

IMO it is no different than putting together a team of players. How in the world would we expect a HC to keep fielding a competitive team if he had to let players out of their contracts every time some other team offered them a starting job, or more carries, or whatever?

I would think it would be almost the same idea.

The league put in this rule because coaching staffs were being raided every offseason. It makes sense.

If I were a HC, I'd want all my assistants to be honing their skills enough that they would be promotable. The only 'rule' I'd have is not letting them go to a division rival. I think it's an under-appreciated and rarely mentioned responsibility for a coach to groom their assistants.
Yes, it sucks to lose what you may think are your best coaches, but I also doubt there is a shortage of good, qualified coaches in the pipeline.

quote:

Originally posted by Pack-Man:
If he goes, they'll probably just give Darren Perry the title of "defensive backs coach" and find him an assistant instead of continuing to divide the job into CB and S coaches.

What's Al Harris up to these days?

quote:

Originally posted by heyward:
The league put in this rule because coaching staffs were being raided every offseason. It makes sense.

Exactly.

Honor thy contract. These guys sign 3-4 year contracts. When you number is up you you find a new job or sign a new contract. Make sure your contract has a escape clause for promotions.

Its always about money ...

If they want Whitt to hang around, they'll tell Reggie no , give Whitt more responsibility and more money.

If they feel he can leave, as TT might say, "don't let the door hit ya where the good lord split ya".

quote:

Originally posted by Smedley:

quote:

Originally posted by Pack-Man:
If he goes, they'll probably just give Darren Perry the title of "defensive backs coach" and find him an assistant instead of continuing to divide the job into CB and S coaches.

What's Al Harris up to these days?

I'm thinking more along the lines of LeRoy Butler myself. He's a guy that definitely could teach these DBs how to tackle and play smart, physical football. It would be awesome to bring him back to the sidelines at Lambeau.

Whitt is a DB coach, although he did coach WR's for 1 year at the football power-house that is The Citadel (Jervey!). Can't see how he could be ready for a DC spot.

Seriously, if a guy can go from a position coach to a DC job, as a HC why would you block the advancement potential of your own guys. Bad for morale IMO, even if they are "professionals". I just think its bad form. You can say it is detrimental to the team, and what have you... but these guys finished dead last in total D.

Let the guy have the interview, and if they take him.. good riddance and good luck.

quote:

Originally posted by Diggr14:
why would you block the advancement potential of your own guys. Bad for morale IMO, even if they are "professionals". I just think its bad form.

MM can simply point to precedence with Clements. "Blocked" him from going to the Bears as OC, and low and behold, couple years later he's the OC for the crown jewel of the NFL. Tom, please stop by MM's office to kiss his hand(the one with the "World Champion" ring on it).

A private conversation where you let the coach(Whitt in this case) know his value, and the fact that Dom Capers won't be around forever is all that's needed IMO.


You keep him(Whitt, Clements, etc...) due to their value to the staff and the team. Again, pointing to promotions from within to pacify the coach is very easy for MM as it is common place at 1265.

quote:

Let the guy have the interview, and if they take him.. good riddance and good luck.

From everything I have heard and read, Joe Whitt is extremely well though of. He's a very good position coach, football mind, and has a high ceiling. I doubt anyone would consider him leaving to be "good riddance"

quote:

You can say it is detrimental to the team, and what have you... but these guys finished dead last in total D.

C'mon Diggr, you should know better. The defense was bad, but that doesn't make all the parts bad. Capers, Whitt, Kevin Greene, Clay Matthews, Bishop, Pickett, Woodson, etc....???

That's one of those clauses that's selectively enforced and if Whitt has the opportunity to advance his career it's hard to see MM standing in his way.

quote:

Originally posted by Pack-Man:
I'm thinking more along the lines of LeRoy Butler myself. He's a guy that definitely could teach these DBs how to tackle and play smart, physical football. It would be awesome to bring him back to the sidelines at Lambeau.

It's kind of funny when you remember what a complete and utter bust Butler was as a CB but then they moved him to safety and he became such a great player helping to introduce that "hybrid" position that was later used for Harrison, polamalu, even Woodson in a way, and others. I'll always remember the Queens game where they lined up Butler as a corner over Moss and he drilled him basically every play before passing him off to Sharper and either blitzing or covering the flat.

He didn't have the speed needed to be an effective CB (they did catch him from behind on that "Puntrooskie" after all). However, he knows the game, and I think he has what it takes to be an assistant DB coach. Kevin Greene never was the best in pass coverage, but I'd guess that he knows more than enough about the mental/tactical aspects to teach a guy everything he needs to know.

Yeah, it was just kind of funny to think about is all. As for Greene, when Capers leaves is he a guy they'd promote, or is Whitt?

It sure was a dark day when he retired. We all went into that season assuming he'd be back to keep that defense playing like a respectable unit, but instead we were exposed to the horrors of Bhawoh Jue, Antuan Edwards and Marques Anderson to complete the sissification of the Sherman era defenses. It would feel just about as bad if Nick Collins can't come back from his injury.

quote:

Originally posted by Diggr14:
Seriously, if a guy can go from a position coach to a DC job, as a HC why would you block the advancement potential of your own guys. Bad for morale IMO, even if they are "professionals". I just think its bad form. You can say it is detrimental to the team, and what have you... but these guys finished dead last in total D.

Let the guy have the interview, and if they take him.. good riddance and good luck.

I get what you mean, but it didn't hurt Clemens much when the packers turned the Bears down last year, did it? Sometimes they can advance in your own organization with a little patience.

Note: Nevermind, already answered by Packdog, the smartest poster on X4.

Raiders looking at college coordinator
espn.go.com
By Bill Williamson on February 4th, 2012

quote:

After striking out several times at the NFL level, new Oakland coach Dennis Allen is looking at the college ranks. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports Allen is now considering Stanford co-defensive coordinator Jason Tarver for the post.

Allen has interviewed or has tried to interview five candidates. The Raiders asked for permission to talk to Green Bay Packers cornerbacks coach Joe Whitt, but apparently he will not be the hire. continue

A question for you guys that follow college football:
Why aren't the DC's of teams with strong defenses (LSU, Alabama, etc) in demand? Seems like they would be the hot ticket.