Power of Caring
  presented by CIGNA

Success rides on simplicity

Click here for more on this story

Posted: Thursday June 03, 1999 11:03 AM

I ran a football clinic for high school and college coaches recently and brought in some NFL guys to speak.

The overriding message from every pro coach: we must keep our offenses and defenses as simple as possible in the modern NFL.

No truer words could be spoken. Take a look at these numbers:

• 80 percent of the players turnover on every team every five years

• 75 percent of the coaches turn over every three years

• 50 percent of the recent first round picks are underclassmen and not ready for the NFL

• 42 percent of the head coaches call the plays

If the system is complicated, the head coach gets a short opportunity to win, and if your top draft pick is an immature underclassman, the end result is a San Diego-Kevin Gilbride-Ryan Leaf scenario where no one wins.

Irvin willing to go

In Dallas, Michael Irvin has said its okay for the Cowboys to try and trade him.

However, according to the executives and coaches I spoke with, Irvin's $2.358 million salary, his less than attractive off the field history, his age -- he's 33 -- and his one TD last year aren't endearing him to many clubs.

My advice to Irvin is to stay in Dallas as long as he can. He might not like what he finds on the outside.

Talking numbers

Some players really want to be cut in the next few weeks and the sooner the better, because its very hard for a club with a poor record to renegotiate player salaries down. Players would rather play for less on better teams.

For example, James Francis looks like he's out in Cincinnati and a few GMs I spoke with say they will try to sign him. Francis, who knows the success Alfred Williams has had since leaving the Bengals, probably isn't too upset about a termination.

Time to retire?

And finally, it's not a bad idea if Dallas could get Deion Sanders to retire. He's not ready to play physically, and the Cowboys can't afford to keep his salary right now.

On the other hand, if he gets well I'm sure they would love to have him on the corner, and no one can pay him right now with the toe injury.

Remember two years ago a retired Gary Zimmerman conveniently "unretired" when Denver needed a tackle. It's just a thought.

Pat Kirwan, who spent 12 years in the NFL as a coach and scout, is an NFL analyst for CNN/SI.

 

Related information
Stories
Agent says Irvin wants trade from Cowboys The business of the NFL
Multimedia
Click here for the latest audio and video
Search our site	Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day
	Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call 1-888-53-CNNSI.