|
 |   |
|
EVENTS Fantasy Central Inside Game Video Plus Statitudes Your Turn Message Boards Email Newsletters Golf Guide Cities 
CNNSI.com GROUP
COMMERCE
|  |
Wild-Card Sunday Ex-coaches Parcells, Vermeil becoming hot commodities
Sports Illustrated senior writer Peter King chatted with CNN/Sports Illustrated anchor Bob Lorenz and reporter Tom Rinaldi about the goings-on around the league on CNN's NFL Preview: Tom Rinaldi: Peter, the question of the day in Baltimore isn't about the weather; it's about the quarterback situation for the Broncos. What can you tell us? Peter King: Tom, the envelope please ... the quarterback [Sunday] at the start of the game for the Denver Broncos will be Gus Ferrotte. One of the big reasons right now is that the Broncos can't trust the health of Brian Griese to go four quarters; though they may have to. One of the more interesting scenarios could be getting both guys hurt and having to play Jarious Jackson because of the tenuous health of Griese. I know that Jackson, on a day like this, is not exactly what [head coach] Mike Shanahan had in mind when he wanted to develop a young quarterback. Bob Lorenz: How does Eagles head coach Andy Reid plan to attack the Bucs' defense? King: I talked to Reid this week about that Tampa Bay defense, [and] it was like some frat kids talking about Pam Anderson because he is so excited when he sees them play because they are excited to play the game and they are fun to watch. Does John Lynch love to play football, and Warren Sapp and Ronde Barber and Derrick Brooks? These guys exhume happiness out there. Reid said that is the thing that makes it interesting to go against them. Everybody around the ball is enthusiastic; they don't care who makes the play ... it is a team thing. Reid said the most important thing for his Eagles team is to stay disciplined; don't get rattled they are going to make some huge plays. Reid also said that the Bucs' defense is going to be one of the best the Eagles have ever faced.
King: First of all, why would Groh leave? I think for a couple of reasons. Number one, this really did come out of the blue. Groh was so convinced he was going to stay in this job for the long term that he considered very strongly and even spoke internally about firing special teams coach Mike Sweatman on Friday in the Jets' offices. Later on Friday, he did talk to Terry Holland, the Virginia Athletic Director, and ended up taking the job Saturday. Why, I think for three reasons.
And as for Parcells, I talked to him [Saturday night] and he was saying nothing right now. But a source close to Parcells told me that they doubt sincerely that he would ever consider coaching the Jets. And number two, he may take another coaching job in the NFL. But let me just add it will not, I repeat will not, be in Washington. Rinaldi: Trent Dilfer is a guy who had to do a lot of reckoning with himself this year, but he may be playing for more than just a playoff game [Sunday]. There's a lot of his future at stake for him. King: No question about it. The key thing about Dilfer right now is that [head coach] Brian Billick has grown to have a tremendous amount of respect for him and he likes him as a player. Dilfer's work ethic is second to none of any other quarterback Billick has ever worked with. Now, with Brad Johnson on the horizon, who Billick worked with in Minnesota, the key question is, in my opinion, who will take less money to come and play for the Baltimore Ravens next year? I think the guy that ends up here is Dilfer, because he will make himself the player that Billick wants to keep long-term. Lorenz: For just the third time in the last 13 seasons, the Buffalo Bills are not in the playoffs and that has made head coach Wade Phillips job uncertain. King: Phillips will meet with owner Ralph Wilson this week, probably in Florida, as well as will Tom Donahoe, a perspective general manager candidate. I think what it will come down to with the head coaching situation is this: If Wade Phillips does not fire two or three of his assistants, notably defensive coordinator Joe Pendry, then Phillips will be fired by Wilson. Lorenz: Where might former Redskins head coach Norv Turner end up? King: Well, I think a lot of that depends on other coaching moves. I talked to Chan Gailey, the offensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins, on Saturday and he has been widely rumored about going to Atlanta, and Gailey told me that it is not true, it's not going to happen. Dave Wannstedt also told me [Saturday] none of these moves are true. Wannestadt thinks he is going to keep Gailey one more year as his offensive coordinator. Lorenz: Is there any truth to Dick Vermeil possibly making a return to coaching? Peter King: I talked to Dick Vermeil [on Sunday], and one of the things he told me is. "I can't close the door on anything, but I don't think I am going to coach again." Vermeil added he is definitely not in conversation with the Kansas City Chiefs about replacing Gunther Cunningham. I think and I told Vermeil, "Look out for Daniel Synder, the Redskins will come after you." Sports Illustrated senior writer Peter King covers the NFL and appears regularly on CNN/Sports Illustrated and CNN's NFL Preview.
| ||||||||||||||||||||
