| | Get out your note pad because you'll need it to keep track of all the coaching movement around the NFL, says ESPN reporter Chris Mortensen.
Mort's weekly chat with users was full of questions about who is hiring who and which coaches will land where. He also talked about the Seattle Seahawks and what they might do with receiver Joey Galloway, what the Cowboys will look for in the offseason and where Deion Sanders may end up after another run in the Major Leagues.
Start taking notes, Mort's edited transcript from his Jan. 19 chat follows:
| |  | | Could Steve Young be throwing passes to Joey Galloway next season? |
J_Shaft: Who is now the frontrunner as the new head coach of the Dallas Cowboys?
Chris Mortensen: I think Jerry Jones wants Gary Kubiak, but I'm told Kubiak is not going anywhere
because of family reasons, and the only pro job that will get his attention is the Houston expansion
one. That job probably won't be filled until after the 2000 season.
Atl Skin: Who do you think the defensive coordinator will be in Washington and will they do the trade
with the 49ers to get Courtney Brown?
On a side note: When does the ESPN Zone open, here in Atlanta?
Chris Mortensen: Here's some fresh scoop for you: Ray Rhodes is the guy the Redskins are trying to hire. Ray
wants to take the job, but is going to talk it over with his wife. The 'Skins also are trying to score a coup by landing Vikings defensive coordinator Foge Fazio as their
linebackers coach. Fazio contract expires at the end of the month, and he is ready to go. The
'Skins will pay both men handsomely.
On that side note, the ESPN Zone grand opening is set for Super Sunday, but I've got a pretty
good source who tells me that their "soft" opening will be Monday. I visited there this week, and it
is an incredible place.
Scott Houde: Rumors have the Patriots very interested in Bill Belichick for the coach/GM job. Rumors also have
Marty Schottenheimer interested in the Pats job. Who in your opinion is a better fit for the job and
why? Ultimately, who do you think will get the coaching job?
Chris Mortensen:
The Patriots want Belichick. I think The Commish will rule tomorrow that he has a valid contract,
but I expect the Jets and Pats to work on compensation.
Do not believe the Schottenheimer rumors. I've got a pretty good source on that one, too.
I think Belichick gets the job.
The Kid: I just saw that Tom Olivadotti (linebackers coach) was fired by Minnesota. He was apparently
astonished by the move. Do you think they are making room for Willie Shaw who was their
secondary coach in the early 90s?
Chris Mortensen:
Based on what I told you earlier -- that Foge Fazio is destined for the Redskins -- I think Shaw
will become the defensive coordinator in Minnesota.
RamsFan: Going into the draft and the offseason, what position(s) do you believe the Rams will
try to improve most? Also, if you were the Rams, would you trade Trent Green?
Chris Mortensen:
The Rams need to address their secondary. They need more cover guys, a top cover guy if they
can find one. Their offensive line could still use more players, too.
As for Trent Green, I would only trade him if somebody would give me a No. 1 pick that was in
the top 10, plus a player who could help the Rams. The Rams are not inclined to deal Green but
could be persuaded with the right package.
Ted: Any word on whether Tom Modrak will leave the Eagles and take the Pittsburgh job?
Chris Mortensen:
Everybody is assuming Modrak will return to the Steelers. I am, too.
Joe: Will the prospect of 'absolute power' be enough for the Saints to hire Tom Donohoe?
Chris Mortensen:
Absolute power and a long-term deal. It would have to be that way because the Saints are a
long-term project. I think Donohoe will not jump hastily into that fire. He does meet with the
Dolphins' Dave Wannstedt tomorrow or Friday.
Henry Backus: I would like to know would Jerry hire the Redskins quarterback coach as a offensive coordinator?
Will Dallas Cowboys re-sign Dexter Coakley, Randall Godfrey and go after DT Sam
Adams, and Shannon Sharpe to fill needs? Finally, in the NFL Draft will Dallas move up to draft either WR Plaxico Burress or Sylvestor Morris?
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Mortensen, an award-winning journalist, provides reports for ESPN's NFL GameDay, NFL Prime Monday, SportsCenter and ESPN Radio. Since first appearing on ESPN in 1991, he has provided reports for the network's Emmy Award-winning programs NFL GameDay and the Outside The Lines series. He also served as analyst for ESPN's coverage of the NFL Draft in 1991 and 1992. He previously covered the NFL for The National (1989-90) where he was one of the first writers hired by editor Frank Deford.
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Chris Mortensen:
The Redskins QB coach is a guy named Rich Olson. He might be a candidate. The
offensive coordinator is Norv Turner. He is not a candidate. Former QB coach Jack Reilly, who
spent the past two years with Ernie Zampese in New England, could be brought back as
o-coordinator.
The Cowboys will definitely re-sign Coakley, and they hope to get Godfrey done.
Sam Adams is not an appealing guy to many teams. Nobody trusts him. He flashed in one or two
games this year, then played pretty inconsistent.
Shannon Sharpe would be a great pick up, but can they afford him?
They should target guys like Burress and Morris, yes, but they also need cover corners because I
don't see Deion coming back.
Jaws: If Seattle trades Joey Galloway, would they take the money they were going to use on him and make a
run at Lawyer Milloy? He's a (University of Washington) Husky and the Hawks have Steve Sidwell now. Your thoughts?
Chris Mortensen:
I think the Seahawks will trade Galloway (after franchising him).
Milloy obviously would be a natural but his asking price ($5 million-plus) is a lot of money for a
strong safety, but he's a pretty darn good one. Maybe he'd take a little less to go home, but the
Pats could also franchise him.
Jawshewa: What are the chances of Seattle trading Joey Galloway to someone like Baltimore for the No. 5 pick in the draft (and possibly a third)? Baltimore seems to have plenty of cap room, and they're
looking for a go-to guy.
Chris Mortensen:
Just off the top of my head -- without any real reporting here -- I kind of like that match with
Baltimore. The Ravens' greatest need is a big-time receiver and QB to develop. But Brian Billick
has preferred bigger targets (Moss, Carter, Reed), so I don't know how he'd feel about Galloway.
Maybe a rookie like Burress would appeal. But, again, I'm just thinking outloud here.
J.B.: Salary cap problems have the Vikings in dire straits. If Randall Cunningham retires versus getting
cut or traded, what is the impact on their cap? Is it to their benefit to have him retire?
Chris Mortensen:
Anything involving Cunningham benefits the Vikings if it happens after June 1.
The Vikes have two important free agents to re-sign: Jeff George and center Jeff Christy.
I have no idea how they will manage to play defense because they will have no money for free
agents, and they have neglected the defense in the draft.
Chris: Who do you think the Seahawks will look towards for a new offensive coordinator? Also, what do
you think of the Steve Young rumors about him coming to Seattle?
Chris Mortensen: I don't really know on the coordinator but I'm sure Holmgren will find someone he trusts.
As for Steve Young, I believe it was his agent, Leigh Steinberg, who might have started those
rumors. I don't know if Holmgren wants to go that route, but who knows? He probably will
continue developing Jon Kitna and Brock Huard. My understanding is that Huard made pretty good progress
this year in practice.
Brandon: Who do you think the Saints will get in the NFL Draft?
Chris Mortensen:
Ricky Williams.
Are you serious? Well, they've got a second-rounder, so they need defensive players, receivers
and a young QB to develop.
At least Terry O'Neill left them in excellent salary-cap shape, so they should do OK with free
agents if Mr. Benson is able and willing.
Mark: I read where Deion Sanders will probably play baseball for the Reds. With that in mind, what NFL team
will he play for next year?
Chris Mortensen:
Under this scenario, Deion would not join an NFL team until November. Here's some educated guesses: Denver, Atlanta, Washington (that'd be pretty good nickel
coverage with Darrell Green, Champ Bailey and Deion) and Oakland.
Mike: What do you think the Colts need to address in the offseason to make it to the Super Bowl next
year?
Chris Mortensen: They need defensive linemen, linebackers, another DB, an offensive lineman or two and they
really need a big, physical receiver.
Minnvike: Why is Fagio taking a demotion moving from defensive coordinator to linebacker coach? Is he a free
agent this season?
Chris Mortensen:
Foge has busted his rear end in Minnesota and Dennis Green has given him absolutely no help.
He also will get a pay raise if the Washington deal gets done.
Foge just wants to coach, and he has a 90-year-old mother who lives in that region.
Yes, it's a little complex, but Foge is a free agent after Feb. 1.
Cheese Head: Do you think that Pete Carroll is going to be the new defensive coordinator in Green Bay?
Chris Mortensen:
I don't think so. Pete told his N.E. assistants he wanted to take the year off and he can afford it.
We'll see.
Mike: If the Vikings package Jake Reed and the No. 25 pick to move up to get a top corner, might there be
any takers?
Chris Mortensen:
Jake Reed's a fine receiver but I don't think he'll attract any takers. I could be wrong, but the
Vikings need more than one top corner.
Andrew: Do you hate the 49ers? Why don't I ever see any answers to 49er questions? I really want
to know if they have a shot at keeping both Steve Young and Jerry Rice.
Chris Mortensen:
Andrew, absolutely not! The 49ers questions and answers are complex. They do have a shot at keeping Rice and
Young, but I believe there is still a philosophical disagreement between Bill Walsh -- who thinks it's
time for Rice and Young to move on -- and head coach Steve Mariucci, who would like them both back.
John York, the team VP, told me he wants both back. Rice is a little more complicated than
Young in terms of renegotiation. So, it's up in the air.
The 49ers are trying to get counsel from the NFL on how to pull this off.
Les: Any insight into what Mark Hatley (Bears) will go after in free agency?
Chris Mortensen:
Les (it worked! don't tell anyone): I think Hatley is inclined to be real soft on the free-agent
market and keep building through the draft. They had a terrific draft last April. So, you know, they
can use secondary, anything else defense, and O-line.
Mike: How come nobody wants to coach in the NFL anymore and why would top coaches
like Jimmy Johnson and Bill Parcells quit on such low notes?
Chris Mortensen:
Good question. Here's how Parcells explained it to me: In order to do this thing right, you need
control. But control means your workload is almost doubled, and the minute the season ends,
you're behind trying to re-sign your own free agents, get under the cap, ect. So, it's a real drain.
Also, Parcells did such an incredible job of coaching, this is hardly a low note.
Jimmy wanted to quit a year ago, remember. He's tired. He wasn't having any fun. And Jimmy
has no regard for history, in terms of how he'll be remembered. He really couldn't care less.
Post-script to that last answer: College coaches see what's going on with the NFL -- and the
instant win demands -- and they are making very good money, in some instances better than
pro coaches.
Bonnie: Do you think the Broncos will be able to come back to Super Bowl form next year?
Chris Mortensen:
Yes.
Tom: Is Bill Belichick the man in New England, and will he have total
power, or will Bobby Grier survive, or will another personnel guy come on board?
Chris Mortensen:
I think I answered this early on... Belichick is the guy. Tagliabue probably will rule Thursday that Belichick has a valid contract with
the Jets. That will set in motion some compensation talks between Pats and Jets. If it gets done --
I think it's a 75 percent shot or better -- Belichick will have control. That means Grier will not
survive.
Sparky: The Panthers showed real promise the last half of the season. With George Seifert's system ingrained
now, are they one or two defensive players away from a playoff birth next year?
Chris Mortensen:
I thought Seifert did a terrific job this year. Since they have Miami's No. 1 pick, they should get
defensive guys. Yeah, playoff team.
Ryan: Who cares about this other stuff. We all want to know who Dave Wannstedt will hire as his
offensive coordinator, and if George Hill will be replaced as defensive coordinator and by whom?
Chris Mortensen:
Wannstedt interviewed Bruce Arians (Indy) and Chan Gailey is a real possibility. They meet
Monday.
As for defensive coordinator, it's up in air, but don't rule out Foge Fazio, because even though Foge is
leaning toward Washington, Wannstedt is one of those Pittsburgh guys.
Good night everyone, Thanks again.
I like the Rams over the Bucs and Jags over the Titans. Not sold on the last one, though.
God bless, Mort | |
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