The Case for Josh McDaniels (If We Can't Get Harbaugh)

by nickbradley on Jan 6, 2011 10:00 AM PST

I live in Colorado, and I am barraged with Broncos coverage in my morning paper and on sports radio. I was fairly surprised when McDaniels was fired. He is an excellent coach who got a ton of production out of his players, but was given GM powers as a 32-year old rookie coach.

The Broncos probably have less talent on defense than any other team in the NFL with Elvis Dumervil out for the season, and their O-line was made up of backups and rookies outside of their pro bowl left tackle.

McDaniels brilliantly traded away Cutler for 2 #1s, a #2, a #3, and Kyle Orton...then got more production out of him than Cutler! He traded away Brandon Marshall and made Brandon Lloyd an all-pro. Peyton Hillis was a 'bad seed' in the locker room, and did not perform anywhere near that level while in Denver.

But he botched most of the draft picks. He traded away a 2010 #1 for a 2009 #2 that he spent on a safety that was cut after only a year. He traded up for Tebow, and it remains to be seen if that was a wise move or not. He did draft two really good WRs that will probably end up being good: Damaryius Thomas and Eric Decker...Thomas had a pretty good rookie season.

But on the field, he gets a lot out of his players, assuming that talent is there.

I'm a HUGE Harbaugh backer, but if he goes to Miami or Denver instead of the 49ers, McDaniels would do very well here if we don't give him any personnel powers...he should have never had such powers.

McDaniels would probably find a way to get Kyle Orton out here, and with our O-line, talent on defense, and WR corps, we will be MUCH MUCH better in 2011.

McDaniels haters do not understand what actually happened in Denver, and most of the local sports writers expected him to be stripped of his personnel powers after the season, but retained. Apparently they could not reach a deal on this, so he was released.

They're still on good terms, and I wouldn't be surprised if McDaniels got Orton for less than the 2nd rounder that they're asking for.

I consider option 2a or 2b after Harbaugh, tied with Brian Billick.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors.

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thanks for the insight

but no…

by Bruins Pride on Jan 6, 2011 10:14 AM PST reply actions

there is no doubt that he is a capable coach

and there is no doubt that he was in over his head in Denver given all that power. However let’s not jump the gun and hire a guy who just so recently failed miserably. As of now I do not see a demand for him as a HC so we could very easily hire him as a OC, which I would think he would do a fine job as. But as a HC, it’s simply too soon for him to get another try at it. Let the guy dwell on his mistakes and learn before throwing him back out there again.

Niners, Lakers and the Warriors... when Lakers have the night off.

by afrikabamboodle on Jan 6, 2011 10:25 AM PST reply actions

McD failed off the field

He succeeded on the field.

I’m sure over the past month he has thought about the mistakes he has made and we would be wise to give him a long look.

Bringing in McDaniels WITH Orton would fix our offensive problems overnight. With our running game and talented O-Line, we would be incredibly well balanced. The Defense would take care of itself.

by nickbradley on Jan 6, 2011 10:47 AM PST reply actions

McD draft strategy?

So if this happened, what do you think his draft strategy would be?

by the Enigmatic Panda on Jan 6, 2011 10:56 AM PST reply actions

He wouldn't -- Baalke would

And if Orton came on board, I believe we would definitely take Peterson or Amukamura (corners) at #7 if they’re there — if not, we take a pass-rusher.

Probably take a project QB later in the draft.

by nickbradley on Jan 6, 2011 11:57 AM PST up reply actions

McD

See this comment.

Please tell me we have moved past the dark ages of post hoc ergo propter hoc.

by Yeti Monster on Jan 6, 2011 11:34 AM PST reply actions

That's pretty crazy that it was published within 10 minutes of this one

Must be on to something

by nickbradley on Jan 6, 2011 11:56 AM PST up reply actions

Chi-Town is loving their QB and they are a top 5 team now. Hillis is a MONSTER. Mcdaniels is a FIRED LOSER. He will be in college soon.

by Gibbster49 on Jan 6, 2011 2:33 PM PST reply actions

Hire Mornhinweg once eagles are eliminated from playoffs. Sign McNabb once Washington releases him, draft the quarterback of the future in the draft, have him sit and learm behind McNabb.

by bmcrae83@yahoo.com on Jan 6, 2011 3:43 PM PST reply actions

I'd like to see the 49ers get Brian Shotty, Jim Harbaugh, or McDaniels

(Prioritizing in that order)

1.QB Pat Devlin 2.CB Jalil Brown 3.CB Kendric Burney 4.RB Derrick Locke 4.S Tyler Sash 5. Guard 6.WR Tandon Doss 6. Nose Tackle 7. Kicker 7.QB Tyrod Taylor

by supraman on Jan 6, 2011 10:02 PM PST reply actions

Jets fans are not very happy with Brian S - I say no on McDaniels

They might like to get a different offensive coordinator. They’re not too happy with his play calling and consider that he sometimes tries to outsmart himself or get trickier than he should.

As for McDaniels, I really don’t like the guy. The problem in my view is that being a young coach, he tried too hard to be “one of the guys” with the players (see the “we own you” incident last year against San Diego). A lot of people attributed last year’s defense (and this year’s decline of the same defense) to Mike Nolan who was the DC. Orton for Cutler was a good move, but Denver has not been able to develop a significant running game yet. Brandon Lloyd’s emergence made sure the loss of Brandon Marshall wouldn’t be felt, but how much of the credit does McDaniels deserve for that?
Maybe he’s matured since then, but I don’t consider him successful enough as a head coach to be worth a try.
If you really want to get something positive out of Denver, try for Orton. The Broncos may decide that they are in full rebuilding mode and want to go with Tebow anyway.

"Verde que te quiero verde..."
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"if you shut someone down with class, it's more effective" - Udalango

by Rabbit T on Jan 7, 2011 7:24 AM PST up reply actions