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Not so fast Despite changes, Skins and Chiefs still face problems
Updated: Saturday January 06, 2001 10:52 AM
Sports Illustrated senior writer Peter King weighed in on many issues during his Jan. 4 chat, including the NFL's coaching carousel. Here's what Peter had to say about the comings and goings: Washington Redskins: I'm pretty impressed that the Redskins were able to pull off a credible hire. Certainly, Schottenheimer is a better hire than anyone could have expected, given the heavy-handed style of owner Daniel Snyder. However, let's look beyond the simple act of hiring a coach. The Redskins, while blessed with some good players, have some major problems. They're getting old. They're getting fat on the salary cap. They don't have a core of great young players at key positions to build around. So I don't care if they hired Vince Lombardi, with Bill Parcells as the defensive coordinator. This team has to solve its problems with the salary cap and the composition of the roster, no matter who the coach is. Kansas City Chiefs: Kansas City is in the same boat as Washington. The salary cap in 2001 will be about $68 million. The Chiefs are slated, right now, to enter the offseason with $97 million committed to current player salaries for 2001. That doesn't include any free agents, any rookies or draft choices. So, the Chiefs are in worse shape -- if that's possible -- for retooling a team for the future. Add to that fact that the Chiefs have a bunch of underachieving veterans and you see why the job Dick Vermeil faces is a tough one. I do think he'll get the job, but the Chiefs and Rams are going to have to work out compensation. The Rams are looking for multiple draft choices because when he left there were two years left on the contract.
Buffalo Bills: I've not met a more impassioned group of fans united in its disdain for a coach as the current Buffalo fandom is about Wade Phillips. Let's remember one thing: Yes, Phillips did make an error when he yanked Flutie before the Bills' playoff game against the Titans. But how many things have happened in Buffalo that are directly related to Phillips? He didn't get three defensive players hurt in one series against Tampa Bay. That cost the Bills a playoff spot. Now, I thought it was chicken feathers the way he fired Bruce DeHaven after the "Music City Miracle." Don't get me started on that one. Special teams plagued the Bills all year. But I don't think you lay the blame of a 7-9 season at this guy's doorstep. And if he gets fired, I'm not expecting 12-4 next season. The best news for the Bills: Of their eight non-division opponents next season, only one is a 2000 playoff team.
Sports Illustrated senior writer Peter King covers the NFL and appears
regularly on CNN/Sports Illustrated and CNN's NFL Preview. Click
here to send a question to his NFL Mailbag.
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