More Coaching Hires

Within the past 12 hours, a few more teams have settled on coaches. Let’s take a look.

Cleveland Browns
Freddie Kitchens A
I think this is the smart move for the Browns. You keep a guy who your players trust, not to mention he improved the offense when he started to call plays. John Dorsey knows what he’s doing here, and you have to give him the benefit of the doubt to this point. He’s doing a lot of things to keep this team on the right path long term. Gregg Williams has been let go, and he deserves a lot of credit, as well. There is now a hole with the defensive coordinator role, so that has to be filled with someone who can continue to make this D formidable. If the next guy doesn’t, there will be a lot of second guessing next season.

Denver Broncos
Vic Fangio B-
Fangio finally gets his chance to be a head coach, but the committee (of one) isn’t sure that this will be enough for Elway to keep his job. Fangio is a phenomenal DC, but being the main man is a different beast. The Broncos have a lot of talent on D, but their O is suspect. After trading Demaryius Thomas, they need a new infusion of receiving weapons. Philip Lindsay was a great pick, but they’ll need more than a running back to help long term. As stated previously, Case Keenum isn’t the long term answer at QB, and Elway has struggled to solve that riddle since Peyton Manning left. Gary Kubiak is reportedly going to be the next OC, but that may end up actually being HC-in-waiting if Vic Fangio can’t claw his way out of a tough division with the Chargers and Chiefs looming annually.

Other Notes:

The Jets can’t let Mike McCarthy out of their grasp. He wants to come to New York to coach an up and coming QB. He also has a record to believe in (135-85-2), so he’s not an unproven commodity. Don’t fool around and end up having to sign Adam Gase or another second tier option. Get the man signed.

Miami is locking in on Kris Richard. If he’s the man, there will be a different tone in camp next season. Richard is a high intensity, maximum effort guy. He brings it, and players respond. The Seahawks benefitted from his coaching, and the Cowboys have seen their defensive players like Byron Jones flourish under his tutelage. You’re going to need a legitimate defense in a division with the Patriots, this is when KR can help. Dallas would miss him, the Dolphins would benefit.