14 coaches ‘better’ than Texans’ Bill O’Brien who are out of the playoffs or got fired

NFL.com released its coaches power rankings in July. Houston Texans’ Bill O’Brien was No. 19. Here are 14 “better” out of the playoffs or got fired.

During the final offseason doldrums before training camp in July 2019, NFL.com writer Elliot Harrison released his coaches power rankings. Houston Texans coach Bill O’Brien was No. 19, which was the lowest among any of the playoff-winning coaches on the list. Harrison provided a thought-out explanation:

Bill O’Brien is a good coach. How good of a coach is he? Well, his detractors will say he’s good enough to get ya beat in the playoffs. Then again, O’Brien has helped the Texans post a winning season in four out of his five years with the team. That’s after taking over a squad that went 2-14 the year before he got there. The complaints about O’Brien often center around an inconsistent offense and his in-game management. Of course, much of a head coach’s job performance centers around things fans don’t see. That includes the culture around the team from Monday through Saturday, communication with the players, and the ability to keep a team focused. Without the latter, there is no way Houston wins over 40 games in five years. The struggle for O’Brien this season will be to squeeze better play out of the offensive line, as well as get Deshaun Watson to avoid creating his own pressure by holding the ball for too long.

Three weeks into the 2019 season, there were eight coaches better than O’Brien on the list who had worse records than the Texans. Now, with wild-card weekend in the books, there are 14 coaches who missed the playoffs, got bounced from the playoffs, or were no longer employed by their original team by the end of the season. Here are the 14 coaches:

1. doug marrone

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Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

There was a rumor heading into Week 17 that the Jacksonville Jaguars could fire Marrone and go in a different direction after the club fired Tom Coughlin as their executive vice president of football operations. Marrone did the best he could with free agent quarterback Nick Foles going down in Week 1 with a collarbone injury and riding Minshew Mania with rookie sixth-rounder Gardner Minshew as far as it could take the Jaguars. Jacksonville finished 6-10 and it appears Marrone will be back in 2020.

Fun fact: since Jacksonville won the AFC South in 2017, O’Brien has beaten Marrone four straight times.

Steelers HC Mike Tomlin open to adding QB coach

Mike Tomlin didn’t seem opposed to some coaching changes in the offseason.

When Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin promoted Randy Fichtner to offensive coordinator, it left a void in the coaching staff. Prior to his promotion, Fichtner had been the team’s quarterbacks coach from 2010-2017. But from 2018 on, Fichtner has tried to fill both roles. However, according to Tomlin, he isn’t opposed to added a dedicated quarterbacks coach for next season.

Doing both was a fairly simple task when it comes to Ben Roethlisberger. It wasn’t like it takes a lot of coaching to keep a future Hall of Fame quarterback on track.

But this season, when Roethlisberger went down with an elbow injury, the whole depth chart fell apart. Despite some flahses, Mason Rudolph didn’t look ready to step into the starting job and once he was injured/benched, Devlin Hodges was lost.

With the clock ticking on Roethlisberger’s career, Pittsburgh must bring in someone to groom the team’s next starting quarterback. Whether or not they are already on the roster is a question for another day.

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Steelers HC Mike Tomlin calls signing Bud Dupree a ‘top priority’

The Steelers are hoping they can bring Bud Dupree back.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are going to have some significant free-agent decisions to make this offseason. But none will be bigger than how to handle outside linebacker Bud Dupree. This sentiment was echoed by head coach Mike Tomlin at his Tuesday press conference where he called Dupree “a top priority” for the Steelers.

Dupree had his breakout season in 2019. He finished second on the team with 11.5 sacks, an improvement of 5.5 over his best season previously. It probably sounds cliche but you could see that everything finally clicked for Dupree, who has always been an elite athlete but showed he can be an elite football player as well.

I’m not going to say the Steelers cannot re-sign Dupree. Their ability to manipulate the salary cap is unmatched in the NFL. But with the season Dupree has had, if the Steelers are serious about not letting Dupree leave, it’s going to be expensive. And quite honestly, it would be somewhat out of character for the franchise to get into a bidding war for any player’s services.

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Steelers HC Mike Tomlin spreads blame for the loss to the Ravens

Mike Tomlin keeps it short and dull in his postgame press conference.

No matter what you think of Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, he is not the guy who is going to throw anyone under the bus for a loss. He didn’t veer from that philosophy this week after the Baltimore Ravens blew the Steelers out 28-10.

Tomlin addressed the media briefly after Sunday’s loss but offered little more than his usual canned responses about blaming everyone including himself and talking about taking care of the football. No real contrition or emotion for the gravity of the loss or the impact of the final three weeks of the season.

There are many fans who want to see Tomlin fired tomorrow. This isn’t going to happen. If anything, his ability to take a team absolutely hobbled by injuries to 8-8 and almost into the playoffs will make him a hero.

This is going to be a long and active offseason for the Steelers. Tomlin got a glimpse of the future and some of it was promising while others are more post-apocalyptic.

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FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer reports Saints-Antonio Brown union unlikely this year

FOX Sports NFL insider Jay Glazer is tight with New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton, and he reports an Antonio Brown union isn’t likely.

Few reporters can boast a tight relationship with New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton, but FOX Sports NFL insider Jay Glazer can. Glazer and Payton have been close friends for nearly two decades, commonly spotted together on floats during Mardi Gras and in restaurants during a night on the town.

Glazer has used that connection to get the scoop on several big moves from within New Orleans — ranging from Jimmy Graham getting traded to the Seattle Seahawks to Payton signing a five-year contract extension earlier this year. On Sunday, he weighed in on Payton’s impression of free agent wide receiver Antonio Brown.

According to Glazer’s report, the Saints warned Brown not to bring an entourage with him to the team practice facility before Friday’s tryout. Instead, he showed up at Airline Drive with a three-man camera crew, a personal nutritionist, and a few other hangers-on. Only Brown was allowed entry, and the crowd on his doorstep didn’t exactly rub Payton the right way.

Additionally, Glazer characterized Brown’s performance in that workout as “he didn’t think he was going to play this year,” which isn’t a very glowing endorsement. And considering that he’s informed from Payton himself, well, things aren’t looking promising for Brown to join the Saints — for the playoffs or otherwise.

It’s just the latest misbehavior from Brown, who has butted heads with everyone from his previous coaches (Mike Tomlin with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Jon Gruden with the Oakland Raiders) to team executives (Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert and Raiders general manager Mike Mayock, and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft). He hasn’t exactly gotten off to the right start with Payton, but at least he’s apparently rooting for the Saints on Sunday.

https://twitter.com/NFLonFOX/status/1211335189797818368

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Touchdown Wire’s Week 17 NFL Power Rankings — Playoff picture becoming clearer

On the heels of a wild weekend that transformed the NFL playoff picture, Touchdown Wire unveils its weekly NFL Power Rankings.

 

 

 

Touchdown Wire’s Week 17 NFL Power Rankings — Playoff picture becoming clearer

On the heels of a wild weekend that transformed the NFL playoff picture, Touchdown Wire unveils its weekly NFL Power Rankings.

Heading into Week 17, we already know the Baltimore Ravens are the best team in the league and the Cincinnati Bengals are the worst.

In Week 16, we found out two positive certainties for the Ravens and Bengals. First, by guaranteeing the league’s worst record, the Bengals clinched the No. 1 spot in the 2020 NFL draft.

At least at the moment, it appears likely they’ll use it on Heisman Trophy winner and LSU quarterback Joe Burrow. That’s the silver lining in Cincinnati’s dismal season.

Baltimore earned a gift with its great season. At 13-2, the Ravens clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs, meaning they have a bye and hold home-field advantage throughout the postseason.

Lots of other scenarios were clinched in Week 16. But many more, including a number of playoff seeds, won’t be known until after Week 17.

We touch on that and more in this week’s Touchdown Wire NFL Power Rankings.

 

32. Cincinnati Bengals

Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

(1-14. Last week: 32)

Finally, there’s something to celebrate in Cincinnati. It took an overtime loss to Miami, but the Bengals officially clinched the No. 1 pick in next year’s draft. That almost certainly will be used on a quarterback, and most draft experts currently believe LSU’s Joe Burrow is the top prospect. While that seems like a certainty, the status of first-year head coach Zac Taylor isn’t a given. Bengals owner Mike Brown has been notoriously patient and frugal in the past, but a one- or two-win season may not be enough for Taylor to survive. Besides, there is plenty of room to question Taylor’s decision to go back to veteran quarterback Andy Dalton after briefly benching him in favor of rookie Ryan Finley. Yeah, Dalton threw four touchdown passes Sunday, but it’s clear he’s got no future with the Bengals. Apparently, Finley doesn’t either. This looks like a team that already has settled on Burrow.

31. Washington Redskins

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

(3-12. Last week: 31)

There hasn’t been much for Washington fans to cheer for this season, especially after Sunday’s overtime loss to the New York Giants dropped the Redskins into sole possession of last place in the NFC East. But there is one bright spot: the play of rookie quarterback Dwayne Haskins. Coming off the best game of his career, Haskins continued to show progress by completing 12 of 15 passes for 133 yards and two touchdowns before leaving with an ankle injury. That means whoever is coaching the Redskins next year might already have his quarterback. The Redskins are going to have a premium draft pick and might decide on Ohio State defensive end Chase Young, who is more of a sure thing than any of the quarterbacks who will be available.

30. Detroit Lions

Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

(3-11-1. Last week: 29)

Things continued to get worse for Detroit with a 27-17 loss to Denver. That was to be expected because the Lions are down to third-string quarterback David Blough, who totaled just 117 passing yards and took four sacks against the Broncos. This season has long been over for the Lions. But the real story here is about next season. Ownership came out last week and firmly said that coach Matt Patricia will be back for a third year and general manager Bob Quinn also will return. That’s somewhat surprising since Patricia’s tenure has been a disaster, and there haven’t been many signs of progress. But I can see the case for giving Patricia another year. He deserves a shot to see what he can do with quarterback Matthew Stafford healthy all season. If Patricia can’t win with Stafford, then it will be time to move on.

29. Jacksonville Jaguars

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

(5-10. Last week: 27)

The Jaguars made news last week by firing executive vice president Tom Coughlin. Some assume that means coach Doug Marrone and general manager Dave Caldwell are safe for next season, but that’s not necessarily the case. Marrone has lost 21 of 31 games since taking the Jaguars to the AFC Championship Game after the 2017 season. Coughlin’s firing was about more than the team’s record. It was a reaction by owner Shad Kahn after the NFL Players Association issued a warning to players about signing with the Jaguars due to a high number of grievances against the organization. Those issues were a poor reflection on Coughlin. But the team’s poor record is a reflection on Marrone and Caldwell. Kahn might be better off cleaning house and starting over again.

28. Miami Dolphins

Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

(4-11. Last week: 30)

Remember back early in the season when everyone thought the Dolphins were purposely losing to acquire better draft picks? At first, it seemed to be true, but they were just good enough to win their way out of the top pick — and it was fitting that their overtime win against Cincinnati helped the Bengals clinch the No. 1 pick. Miami stuck with veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick over second-year pro Josh Rosen most of the season. That was pointless, because Fitzpatrick is no long-term answer for a team that needs a major rebuild. By missing out on the No. 1 pick, the Dolphins apparently will miss out on consensus No. 1 quarterback prospect Joe Burrow. They probably still will draft a quarterback. Instead of Burrow, it likely will be Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa or Oregon’s Justin Herbert.

27. New York Giants

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

(4-11. Last week: 28)

Sure, the Giants are 4-11, and Sunday’s victory against a bad Washington team came in overtime. But I’m going to go way out on a limb and declare the Giants the favorite to win the NFC East in 2020. Seriously. Why? The Giants have the brightest future of the bunch. You could see Sunday that the Giants are set at quarterback and running back for the long term. Rookie quarterback Daniel Jones returned from injury and threw for 352 yards and five touchdowns. Second-year running back Saquon Barkley ran for 189 yards and a touchdown and caught four passes for 90 yards and another touchdown. Jones and Barkley could be superstars. Sure, there’s plenty of work to be done on the defense, at receiver and on the offensive line. But Jones and Barkley give the Giants hope and something to build around. Their presence and promise probably is enough to keep coach Pat Shurmur employed.

26. Carolina Panthers

Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

(5-10. Last week: 25)

Perhaps the most insightful NFL quote of the week came from veteran Carolina tight end Greg Olsen, who has a bright future in broadcasting. After an embarrassing loss to Indianapolis, Olsen put Carolina’s situation into perfect context.

“It’s a really tough way to operate,” Olsen said. “Players are underperforming. It’s right now a very collective failure, organizationally a failure.”

The Panthers might be in the most disarray they’ve been in since coach George Seifert’s final year, a 1-15 season in 2001. Interim coach Perry Fewell hasn’t come close to winning a game since taking over when Ron Rivera was fired. It’s become obvious that Fewell will not get the permanent job. Owner David Tepper has to go out and find the right guy. If general manager Marty Hurney sticks around and has any input, his track record suggest he’ll favor a rising coordinator and not a former head coach or a college coach.

25. Los Angeles Chargers

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

(5-10. Last week: 23)

The Chargers lost to the Raiders on Sunday, but the big story here came in the postgame. Veteran quarterback Philip Rivers told reporters he wants to continue playing. Rivers is 38 and in the final year of his contract.

“I’m capable enough physically and mentally, there’s no question,” Rivers said. “Yes, I do want to play football. I do, and that’s how I feel deep down as I stand here.”

But the bigger question is do the Chargers want Rivers back? Despite all he’s done for the franchise through the years, Rivers has endured a bad season. His 18 interceptions rank second in the NFL to Jameis Winston’s 28. The Chargers have been one of the league’s most disappointing teams and haven’t developed much of a fan base in Los Angeles. They’ll be moving into a new stadium next year, and it might be time for an infusion of excitement at quarterback, whether through the draft or via free agency.

32-25 | 24-17 | 16-9 | 8-1

Steelers HC Mike Tomlin on the loss: ‘Such is life’

Mike Tomlin hints the blame should be shared for this loss.

When the Pittsburgh Steelers needed it most, the team couldn’t find a way to get a win. This was a game the Steelers had every opportunity to win but they fell short on multiple levels. The media and fans are going to go out of their way to try to pinpoint blame for the loss to the New York Jets. This will serve as great fodder as everyone tries to create their own narratives.

But don’t ask head coach Mike Tomlin to offer any particular player or unit up.

“Pick whatever soft spot you want,” Tomlin said. Tomlin made it clear there is plenty of blame to spread around for a loss like this. The Steelers had their playoff hopes in their hands but might have let it slip away.

With the loss, the Steelers can only make the playoffs if they beat the Baltimore Ravens in Week 17 along with a loss by the Tennessee Titans.

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Steelers HC Mike Tomlin no longer has relationship with Jets RB Le’Veon Bell

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin didn’t have much to offer when discussing Jets running back Le’Veon Bell on Wednesday.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and Jets running back Le’Veon Bell won’t be exchanging pleasantries before Pittsburgh and New York kick off on Sunday.

After sitting out all of last season due to a contractual dispute, Bell left the Steelers and signed a four-year, $56.5 million deal with the Jets in March. Tomlin has not kept in touch with his former star running back since he left Pittsburgh and isn’t exactly giddy to reunite with him this weekend.

“I have none,” Tomlin said when asked if he had any sort of relationship with Bell. “I don’t communicate with him. He’s a New York Jet.”

It’s understandable if Tomlin is harboring any sour grapes towards Bell. His contractual dispute with the Steelers rubbed many within the organization the wrong way and drew plenty of criticism. Tomlin went as far as saying Bell had a “complete game”, but didn’t offer too many praises for the 27-year-old tailback or lend any insight into whether Pittsburgh has an advantage going up against its former feature back.

“I don’t have to tackle him. I don’t have a lot to worry about,” Tomlin said. “Tackling him is the issue. His teammates have seen him in [a] training-camp like setting. It won’t be the first time those guys had a chance to combat him in those ways.”

Bell became a star with the Steelers, appearing in three Pro Bowls and establishing himself as one of the NFL’s elite running backs. He hasn’t been able to achieve the same success in his first season with the Jets, recording only 676 rushing yards, 404 receiving yards and four total touchdowns in 13 games.

The hope is that Bell will be able to exact some revenge against his former team in Week 16. Either way, there is certainly no love lost between the running back and his former head coach.

NFL Week 16 Power Rankings: NFC East is center of attention

The NFC East doesn’t have a team with a winning record, but it’s the most compelling division in Touchdown Wire’s weekly Power Rankings.