| | What has been the biggest change in the NFL in the last ten years? Look no further than free agency, says former NFL head coach and current ESPN NFL analyst Marty Schottenheimer.
During his weekly chat with ESPN.com users, Schottenheimer talked about how free agency and the almighty dollar have changed the league. He also ended talk about his involvement in the Green Bay Packers vacant coaching job and looked ahead to the conference championship games this weekend.
An edited transcript from Schottenheimer's Jan. 17 chat follows:
Marty Schottenheimer:
Good afternoon.
To address all the questions about my involvement with the Packers head
coaching vacancy, I will say this: Ron Wolf and I had several discussions
about the job in Green Bay. It was apparent to both parties that what was available didn't meet the
needs of either party, and we agreed not to pursue it further. We wished
each other well and went our own ways.
Alex: Can you explain to the average fan just how difficult being a coach is?
Marty Schottenheimer:
I don't know that it is any more difficult than any other upper level management position. You are
however, a little more in the public eyes and are under a little more scrutiny.
Todd: Can Tennessee's defense shut down Jacksonville's offense now that Fred Taylor is finally at 100 percent?
Marty Schottenheimer:
I am a big fan of the Tennessee defense. I have felt that throughout the year they were vastly
underrated. I think they will pose some pass-rush problems for Jacksonville. However, if
Jacksonville can throw when they want to throw instead of out of necessity, I think Jacksonville will
prevail. We all know it is very difficult to beat a good NFL team three times in one season.
Doug: After the Chiefs' devastating lost to the Oakland Raiders, Lamar Hunt said "one thing is for
sure we need a back that can go at least 1,500 yards." Do you see the Chiefs getting that back in the
draft, through a trade or free agency?
Marty Schottenheimer:
I am not quite certain that free agency will provide that kind of an opportunity. There is a chance
the college draft might. Although, with their position in the draft, those backs may not be available.
However, if you look at the Terrell Davises, Olandis Garys and other backs taken later in the draft,
they might be able to find a back that can meet their needs. They would have to get lucky, but it
could happen.
Eric: How can a blow out like what happened in Jacksonville happen in the playoffs in any professional sport
today?
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SCHOTTENHEIMER'S FILE
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In his 10 years as head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, Schottenheimer posted a sparkling 101-58-1 regular season record, good for a .634 winning percentage, the second-highest in the NFL behind the San Francisco 49ers (123-37-0, .769). Including his 4 1/2 seasons with the Cleveland Browns, Schottenheimer had a career record of 150-96-1, including a 5-11 record in the playoffs. Schottenheimer coached 12 of his 14 clubs to winning records, including nine 10-win seasons. He took his team to the playoffs in 11 of his 14 seasons, steering three of those to the conference title game. His 145 regular season wins ranks 11th all-time in NFL history. Since 1960, the only coaches to take their teams to the playoffs more times than Schottenheimer are Don Shula (19), Tom Landry (18), Chuck Noll (12) and Bud Grant (12).
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Marty Schottenheimer:
The nature of that game -- 24 points in the first quarter -- you reach a point where you realize the
contest is over. I don't think players quit or give up, but the concentration level tapers off and they are
not focused and that is clearly what happened to Miami.
Coach Shula: What is your sense of what Dan Marino should, and will, do regarding his career?
Marty Schottenheimer:
My sense regarding Dan is that they have to determine his physical condition. At that point, they
take that information, assuming he is fine, and decide if they want to continue with a guy
that I don't think was 100-percent healthy this season. I think it becomes more of a medical
decision, than it does a skill decision. I just don't think he is healthy.
Jschwab: Do you think that people like Ray Rhodes and Chan Gailey were dropped too quickly, or
has the bar really been raised for NFL coaches?
Marty Schottenheimer:
It is difficult to know what transpired in each situation. But clearly the demands to win have
accelerated. If management wants to find ways to do that, we know that the first place you start
when you want to make changes starts with the coach.
Andy: Do you think the Pittsburgh Steelers are going in the right direction? Who would you draft if you
were Bill Cowher?
Marty Schottenheimer:
They've finally see the accumulative affect of losing all those players in free agency. They need
help on the offensive line. That area struggled, especially with the running game. They still lack the big-play
receiver that is so important to a winning NFL offense.
Randy Webb: Who is the best player you have ever coached?
Marty Schottenheimer:
That is tough to say.
I don't think you can identify one player. I think you can identify a group of players, but not any
one.
Chuck: Do you see the Titans being able to hold their team together for a number of years considering
possible salary cap implications.
Marty Schottenheimer: I think the general trend in the league is that if you win as a team, it becomes very difficult to
retain all of your players because most of the individuals on the team believe that their
contributions were essential to that team's success, thus they expect to be compensated
accordingly. That means very high salaries. That is the major impact that the salary cap has had
on the sport.
Tech25: In your opinion, what chance do you give the Buccaneers this weekend against the high-powered
offense of the Rams? Do you think defense still wins championships?
Marty Schottenheimer: This particular contest finds probably the two fastest teams in the NFL. I think the Rams have the
advantage because they are at home and the effect of the crowd may have an impact on the Bucs'
offense.
Jeff Champlin: How do you view the nature of free agency in the game today? In your honest opinion, do
you think players today have any sense of loyalty to a team or are they basically mercenaries out
for the highest bidder?
Marty Schottenheimer: I am not sure mercenary is the word I would use. I think there is some amount of loyalty, but
today's players want to get paid top dollar and today's system allows for that. Ultimately, the dollar
signs dictate many of the choices in the game today.
Jon: In your opinion, why was Jimmy Johnson unable to repeat what he had done in Dallas?
Marty Schottenheimer: Because he didn't have Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin and Troy Aikman. All the elements were not
available to him.
We have more exciting football games ahead this weekend and it is great to see some new teams
involved. Like all football fans, I will be glued to the TV. I think they will be very, very exciting.
That's all the time I have for today. I will join you next week from Atlanta. Take care everyone.
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