Tag: John Fassel

News: Prescott confident new deal will happen, Moore talks on making calls

Cowboys new for Jan. 28th, 2020

With almost a completely new coaching staff and a long list of free-agents, Cowboys fans are looking forward to the upcoming season, and rightfully so. However, there are many questions to be answered regarding on all sides of the ball in Dallas next season.

How could the defensive personnel change? Who will call defensive plays? And why type of influence will Mike McCarthy have on Kellen Moore’s offense? John Fassel is charged with improving a Cowboys special team group, and he’s ready and capable to do so. All this, and how a former Cowboys star is getting his coaching start at the college level. Here’s the News and Notes.

What can you expect from new Cowboys defense and the coaches who will lead it? :: The Athletic (pay wall)

New defensive coordinator Mike Nolan and the rest of the assistant coaching staff meet with reporters at the Star in Frisco on Monday. With basically half of the defensive starters set to be unrestricted free agents, there will be plenty of change in 2020.

–ML

Kellen Moore: “Collaborative” Effort On Offense :: Dallas Cowboys

When McCarthy was hired there was speculation whether he would keep the first-year play-caller or do it himself as he did during his days in Green Bay. However, he chose to retain Moore and has made it clear that the latter will call the plays as he did for the NFL’s top-ranked offense in 2019.

Moore had an interest from the University of Washington for their vacant offensive coordinator position but saw an “awesome opportunity” to work under McCarthy.

–ML

John Fassel ready to reinvent Cowboys forgotten phase, special teams :: Cowboys Wire

John Fassel has the seemingly tough task of turning around a special teams unit that was arguably the NFL’s worst in 2019. If anyone can make this happen it would be Fassel, though, who had 15 players named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week during his eight years with the St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams (2012-2019).

–ML

Former Cowboy Demarco Murray lands Sooner’s coaching gig :: CBS DFW

Demarco Murray, an Oklahoma University Alum, was recently hired by the Sooners as their running-back’s coach. Murray played 7 season in the NFL, including 4 with the Cowboys. Murray was the NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2014, which would go on to be his last year in Dallas.

– AH

Dallas Cowboys free agency primer: The skill positions :: Landry Hat

It’s hard to argue that the Dallas offense wasn’t successful in 2019. Dak Prescott shattered some of his previous career high stats and most games the Cowboys put up points with ease. Who all can the Cowboys re-sign? How does this impact each skill position free agency move the Cowboys can make?

– AH

Dak Prescott talks Mike McCarthy

NFLPA to meet today to discuss ongoing CBA talks :: Pro Football Talk

The CBA expires after next season, will the two sides be able to come to an agreement to avoid a shutdown?

Prescott has ‘confidence’ long-term deal will get done :: NFL.com

“I’ve got confidence something will get done,” Prescott told NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport. “We’ll just leave it there. Obviously being the Cowboys quarterback is second to none. There are very few positions in all of sports that are comparable to it. So when you put that in perspective, my mindset is to be in Dallas. And I’ve got the confidence in my team to get something done and the confidence in the Cowboys that we’ll be able to.”

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John Fassel ready to reinvent Cowboys forgotten phase, special teams

John Fassel is the Cowboys new special teams coordinator. Hear some of his thoughts on his new team.

Mike McCarthy did not hesitate to surround himself with experienced and respected assistant coaches after arriving in Dallas. This mindset was on full display when McCarthy and the Cowboys front office decided to hand the special team coordinator reins over to John Fassel.

A visibly reinvigorated Fassel spoke to the Dallas media for the first time since he joined the Cowboys, and provided a few insights on his philosophy entering the 2020 season with his new team.

Fassel spent the greater part of the decade turning the Rams special teams unit from a run of the mill group into consistently one of the very best in the NFL. He is faced with a similar challenge in Dallas, as the Cowboys are coming off their statistically worst special teams season of the decade.

When asked what might have caused the Cowboys special team struggles last season Fassel responded, “I can’t answer to that. I’m going into this with a blank slate for myself and for every person who has been on this team.”

Fassel stated he had done nothing but watch film since he landed in Dallas only a week ago, and that playing the Cowboys with the Rams each of the last three seasons gave him an added familiarity with the special teams unit he now controls.

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Fassel, similarly to McCarthy, echoed a mentality of self-awareness and self-improvement as a coach.

McCarthy’s stint with the Packers and Fassel’s with the Rams are oddly comparable; both were considered elite coaches at their respective coaching positions for the vast majority of those years, but both coaches became available after only two seasons of lackluster results. This mindset of accepting and embracing change in their own coaching methods hint that Fassel and McCarthy can put aside their ego and adapt to the ever-changing game of football.

A staple of Fassel’s time in St. Louis and Los Angeles was his willingness to fake a punt or kick if the situation saw fit. He attributed this strategy to the players he was coaching, including two punters who were former quarterbacks. For that reason, the tricky tendencies Fassel was once known for aren’t guaranteed to follow him to Dallas.

Fassel also brings qualities he doesn’t need to reinvent at all.

Those include a passion and understanding of the importance of special teams in today’s game. The personnel and player development are big parts of coaching special teams, however, Fassel told the media what he believes to be the most important factors of a successful special teams unit: chemistry, pride in your play, and convincing players that the special teams players are just as valuable as the offense or defense.

Fassel spoke on the simplistic scheme he likes to employ and how that can help players.

“It goes back to the intangible part of it. I think we want a very aggressive mind-set, some very simple schematics. We’re going to be super technique driven, kinda giving the message to the players right now, kinda running a team meeting through [the media] right now. I think it’s important on special teams to keep things simple — make them very technique oriented where they feel really comfortable with their assignment. But then they can master their techniques because it really isn’t a complex part of the game. The players and the unit can really get to their technique faster so they can win,” Fassel said, according to DallasNews.com’s Calvin Watkins.

The son of an NFL coach himself, Fassel even broke out an old quote from Hall of Fame coach George Allen; “They say it’s a third (offense), a third (defense), and a third (special teams), and that’s what it is.” Mike McCarthy shares the same thoughts on the importance of the third, often forgotten, phase of football, and that helped to sell Fassel on joining the Dallas coaching staff.

Whether this translates to on field success or not is a big question that is yet to be seen. It’s clear though that the Cowboys new coaching staff, including John Fassel, are attempting to make special teams more of a priority than it was in the past in Dallas.

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Sean McVay wishes John Fassel well as he leaves Rams for Cowboys

Sean McVay confirmed John Fassel is leaving the Rams to join the Cowboys.

The Los Angeles Rams made some disappointing news official on Wednesday, announcing that special teams coordinator John Fassel is departing and joining the Dallas Cowboys’ coaching staff. Fassel was reported as a target for Mike McCarthy in Dallas, and for a coach entering his first year with a new team, it’s hard to get much better than “Bones” on special teams.

Sean McVay issued a brief statement on Fassel’s departure, giving him his best wishes and commending him for the job he did in Los Angeles.

Fassel joined the Rams in 2012, which is the same year they brought on Greg Zuerlein and Johnny Hekker. They had one of the best special teams units in the league during his tenure, but McVay will now need to replace him on the staff.

It’s possible the Rams will promote someone from within to take Fassel’s place, but they’ll likely interview outside candidates, as well.

What the departures of Fassel and Phillips mean for Rams’ free agents

The Rams will have new defensive and special teams coordinators in 2020, and it could have an impact on their free agents.

(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Two of the most recognizable names on the Los Angeles Rams’ coaching staff (besides Sean McVay) won’t be back with the team in 2020. Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips’ contract expired and was not renewed by the Rams. Special teams coordinator John Fassel’s contract also came to an end, and it didn’t take him long to find a new landing spot as he’s expected to be hired by the Cowboys to join Mike McCarthy’s staff.

It’s unclear if the Rams tried to retain Fassel by extending his contract or if they were willing to let him leave like Phillips, but either way, this is bad news for Los Angeles. “Bones” is an outstanding special teams coach and it’s easy to see why McCarthy wanted to bring him to Dallas to hopefully fix the Cowboys’ underperforming special teams unit.

While it’ll be difficult to replace Phillips and Fassel with coaches of the same caliber, these departures will have a ripple effect on the Rams’ free agents. Three key starters on defense will hit free agency in March, as will Greg Zuerlein and JoJo Natson (RFA).

The front office and head coach have the ultimate say in who returns and who leaves, but the new coordinators will also have some input on those players – or, at least they should.

Will new DC change scheme from 3-4 to 4-3?

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

If the Rams promote from within by elevating either Aubrey Pleasant or Joe Barry, a switch to a 4-3 defense seems highly unlikely. However, if McVay hires an outside candidate, a change to the defensive front can’t be ruled out.

On paper, it’s hard to see the Rams switching to a 4-3 defense. If Dante Fowler Jr. leaves, that would give the defense very little talent at defensive end; Clay Matthews, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo and Samson Ebukam all fit better as outside linebackers in a 3-4.

The Rams would also have to rely on inside linebackers more often in a 4-3 scheme. Last season, they really only played Cory Littleton there with an extra defensive back taking the other linebacker’s place. Troy Reeder, Micah Kiser and Travin Howard would all be candidates to fit in a 4-3 defense, but their snap counts will increase dramatically if the Rams make the switch. That may not be something Los Angeles feels comfortable with.

A move to a 4-3 would also impact Michael Brockers, who wouldn’t be a great fit in that scheme after shedding weight to fit in the Rams’ current 3-4 defense. He may no longer have the size or bulk to hold up full-time at nose tackle in a 4-3.

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Cowboys expected to hire Rams ST coordinator John Fassel

Sean McVay has yet another coach to replace this offseason.

The Los Angeles Rams will have three coaches at important positions to replace this offseason. The Cowboys and Mike McCarthy are hiring special teams coordinator John Fassel away from the Rams, according to NFL Network. Chris Mortensen of ESPN also confirmed that Fassel’s deal with the Cowboys is expected to be finalized.

Fassel’s contract expired with the Rams, which made it impossible for the Rams to block him from leaving Los Angeles. He’s been with the Rams since 2012 and was retained by Sean McVay after Jeff Fisher was fired.

The Rams had four Pro Bowlers on special teams in 2017, and in 2018, Cory Littleton made it as a special teams player. Fassel is widely considered to be one of the best special teams coaches in the NFL, so this is a huge loss for the Rams.

Mike McCarthy targeting John Fassel for Cowboys coaching staff

The Rams could lose another coach if John Fassel is hired by the Cowboys.

After moving on from Wade Phillips and letting Skip Peete go, the Los Angeles Rams could be undergoing further changes to their coaching staff – this time not by choice. According to Todd Archer of ESPN, Mike McCarthy is interested in hiring Rams special teams coach John Fassel for his coaching staff with the Dallas Cowboys.

Fassel has been the Rams’ special teams coordinator since 2012, previously working under Jeff Fisher before Sean McVay kept him aboard in 2017. Fassel was the Rams’ interim head coach in 2016 after Fisher was fired.

Fassel is regarded as one of the best special teams coaches in the NFL. He helped send four Rams special teams players to the Pro Bowl in 2017 and while the unit disappointed this season, it has been one of the best groups in the NFL for the last few years.

Previously, Fassel worked as the Ravens’ and Raiders’ special teams coordinator.

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Sean McVay goes at John Fassel after failed fake punt: ‘What are you doing?’

Sean McVay was not happy about John Fassel attempting a fake punt in the Rams’ own territory.

John Fassel is widely viewed as one of the best special teams coordinators in the league, being one of the few holdovers from the previous regime when Sean McVay took over.

He and McVay are almost always on the same page, but they certainly were not early in Sunday’s game against the Cardinals. On fourth-and-7 from their own 17-yard line, the Rams attempted a fake punt with rookie Nick Scott taking the snap and running toward the sticks.

He was stopped short and the Cardinals took over on downs, scoring a touchdown two plays later. McVay did not look happy after the play, asking Fassel, “What are you doing?” on the sideline.

Take a look at the exchange in the video below.

The Rams are out of playoff contention and have nothing to play for this week, so Fassel saw it as an opportunity to take a chance against an unsuspecting Cardinals team. It didn’t work and McVay was not happy with the decision.