NFL Nation: Mike Waufle
O'Brien establishing coach cred with Pats
June, 21, 2011
6/21/11
1:23
PM ET
By Tim Graham | ESPN.com
This week's Power Rankings took a gander at the NFL's best up-and-coming assistant coaches.
To define the list, ESPN.com's panel of division bloggers decided we would concentrate on assistants who have never been head coaches (we didn't count interim tags) and are approaching their shot to run a staff.
Here's my ballot:
Ryan topped my ballot for two reasons. First, he's a great defensive coach. Second, his twin brother's success with the New York Jets is pushing Rob Ryan even closer and closer to consideration.
In sorting out my list, my dominant criterion was becoming a head coach soon. Grimm has interviewed for jobs, reportedly been close to landing a couple and is highly thought of around the league. If Las Vegas posted odds on the next assistant to become a first-time head coach, Ryan and Grimm would be at the top of the list.
I was one of only three panelists to vote for O'Brien at all. AFC South blogger Paul Kuharsky listed him fifth. NFC North blogger Kevin Seifert ranked him eighth.
A high ranking for O'Brien simply is playing the percentages. Bill Belichick coordinators always seem to get an opportunity to be a head coach, and O'Brien certainly is making his mark. A coordinator appointment from Belichick is the ultimate sideline blessing these days. Tom Brady's not a bad reference either.
O'Brien did more than just pick up where Josh McDaniels left off. O'Brien oversaw a restructuring of the Patriots' offense from a shotgun-spread style to a two tight-end approach. He also prevailed in a battle of wills with Randy Moss and then directed the Patriots' offense to great things without him.
To define the list, ESPN.com's panel of division bloggers decided we would concentrate on assistants who have never been head coaches (we didn't count interim tags) and are approaching their shot to run a staff.
Here's my ballot:
- Rob Ryan, Cowboys defensive coordinator
- Russ Grimm, Cardinals offensive line coach
- Dirk Koetter, Jaguars offensive coordinator
- Bill O'Brien, Patriots offensive coordinator
- Rob Chudzinski, Panthers offensive coordinator
- Perry Fewell, Giants defensive coordinator
- Brian Schottenheimer, Jets offensive coordinator
- Winston Moss, Packers inside linebackers coach
- Mike Waufle, Raiders defensive line coach
- Pete Carmichael, Saints offensive coordinator
Ryan topped my ballot for two reasons. First, he's a great defensive coach. Second, his twin brother's success with the New York Jets is pushing Rob Ryan even closer and closer to consideration.
In sorting out my list, my dominant criterion was becoming a head coach soon. Grimm has interviewed for jobs, reportedly been close to landing a couple and is highly thought of around the league. If Las Vegas posted odds on the next assistant to become a first-time head coach, Ryan and Grimm would be at the top of the list.
I was one of only three panelists to vote for O'Brien at all. AFC South blogger Paul Kuharsky listed him fifth. NFC North blogger Kevin Seifert ranked him eighth.
A high ranking for O'Brien simply is playing the percentages. Bill Belichick coordinators always seem to get an opportunity to be a head coach, and O'Brien certainly is making his mark. A coordinator appointment from Belichick is the ultimate sideline blessing these days. Tom Brady's not a bad reference either.
O'Brien did more than just pick up where Josh McDaniels left off. O'Brien oversaw a restructuring of the Patriots' offense from a shotgun-spread style to a two tight-end approach. He also prevailed in a battle of wills with Randy Moss and then directed the Patriots' offense to great things without him.
Koetter fifth in assistant Power Rankings
June, 21, 2011
6/21/11
1:05
PM ET
By
Paul Kuharsky | ESPN.com
Power Rankings turn to an important, relatively unknown bunch this week: assistant coaches.
But we’re not ranking the top 10 assistant coaches, we’re ranking the top 10 up-and-coming assistant coaches. Who are guys who have not been head coaches before (interim stints didn’t disqualify anyone) who we expect will ultimately be patrolling the sideline in the primary headset?
It’s an interesting list that has a lot of debatable votes. For example, I didn’t vote for Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell, who wound up No. 1.
I explain why in Kevin Seifert’s piece unveiling the overall rankings (and here's the column relating to it all). I also make the case for Jacksonville offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter, who got my third-place vote and finished fifth overall.
Considering that I am on record selecting Koetter as my head coach if I assembled a staff from the AFC South pool of coaches, including the four head coaches, my vote should be no surprise. Indications were he was great in his interview with Denver, and only John Fox’s prior experience got him the job ahead of Koetter.
He was the No. 1 selection for agent Bob Lattinville, who represents a lot of coaches and put together a top 10 list for me.
Here’s my ballot, which I remind you counted just one-eighth of the overall result:
But we’re not ranking the top 10 assistant coaches, we’re ranking the top 10 up-and-coming assistant coaches. Who are guys who have not been head coaches before (interim stints didn’t disqualify anyone) who we expect will ultimately be patrolling the sideline in the primary headset?
It’s an interesting list that has a lot of debatable votes. For example, I didn’t vote for Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell, who wound up No. 1.
I explain why in Kevin Seifert’s piece unveiling the overall rankings (and here's the column relating to it all). I also make the case for Jacksonville offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter, who got my third-place vote and finished fifth overall.
Considering that I am on record selecting Koetter as my head coach if I assembled a staff from the AFC South pool of coaches, including the four head coaches, my vote should be no surprise. Indications were he was great in his interview with Denver, and only John Fox’s prior experience got him the job ahead of Koetter.
He was the No. 1 selection for agent Bob Lattinville, who represents a lot of coaches and put together a top 10 list for me.
Here’s my ballot, which I remind you counted just one-eighth of the overall result:
- Rob Ryan
- Winston Moss
- Dirk Koetter
- Greg Olson
- Bill O’Brien
- Darren Perry
- Brian Schottenheimer
- Rich Bisaccia
- Mike Zimmer
- Mike Waufle
AFC West shut out in assistant coach top 10
June, 21, 2011
6/21/11
1:00
PM ET
By
Bill Williamson | ESPN.com
The AFC West didn’t play much of a role in this week's Power Rankings where we looked at the top 10 up-and-coming assistant coaches.
We were looking for assistants who could soon be head coaches in the NFL. Coaches who have been interim head coaches were eligible; former full-time coaches, however, were not eligible.
No current AFC West assistant made the list. Former San Diego Chargers assistant Rod Chudinski was ranked fourth. He left the Chargers earlier this year to become Ron Rivera’s offensive coordinator in Carolina. Rivera was the Chargers’ defensive coordinator until the Panthers hired him as head coach in January, so, I guess there was an AFC West feel on the list.
Oakland Raiders defensive line coach Mike Waufle received some votes and he finished in 13th place. I ranked Waulfle in 10th place. I really like the way Oakland’s defensive line developed under his guidance last season. To a man, his defensive linemen swear by Waufle. He’s definitely a coach to keep an eye on.
I didn’t vote for any other AFC West assistant. The other current AFC West assistant to receive votes was new San Diego special teams coach Rich Biasaccia. He was in 15th place. Biasaccia is well respected and is expected to instantly help the Chargers’ weak spot. But I want to see him in action first before I give him a top-10 vote.
We were looking for assistants who could soon be head coaches in the NFL. Coaches who have been interim head coaches were eligible; former full-time coaches, however, were not eligible.
No current AFC West assistant made the list. Former San Diego Chargers assistant Rod Chudinski was ranked fourth. He left the Chargers earlier this year to become Ron Rivera’s offensive coordinator in Carolina. Rivera was the Chargers’ defensive coordinator until the Panthers hired him as head coach in January, so, I guess there was an AFC West feel on the list.
Oakland Raiders defensive line coach Mike Waufle received some votes and he finished in 13th place. I ranked Waulfle in 10th place. I really like the way Oakland’s defensive line developed under his guidance last season. To a man, his defensive linemen swear by Waufle. He’s definitely a coach to keep an eye on.
I didn’t vote for any other AFC West assistant. The other current AFC West assistant to receive votes was new San Diego special teams coach Rich Biasaccia. He was in 15th place. Biasaccia is well respected and is expected to instantly help the Chargers’ weak spot. But I want to see him in action first before I give him a top-10 vote.
It looks like Cable saga is coming to an end
January, 23, 2010
1/23/10
10:31
PM ET
By
Bill Williamson | ESPN.com
ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that the Raiders will keep Tom Cable as coach.
The Raiders say a decision has not been made.
I wouldn’t be shocked at all if the Raiders do announce that Cable will be brought back. It has seems to be heading that way for the past couple of days.
There has been a staff addition – the team hired defensive line coach Mike Waufle on Friday -- and had an interview with Baltimore quarterbacks coach Hue Jackson for offensive coordinator. I think a Cable-Jackson pairing could be good for Oakland.
Cable would be relieved of play-calling duties and allowed to concentrate on the bigger picture. That may help this inexperienced NFL head coach. Jackson has a strong history with quarterbacks, so maybe JaMarcus Russell would have a chance to develop.
There are positives in this development if that’s what Oakland announces.
Again, it looks like this saga may be over. I look forward to the Raiders’ announcement and will be ready to analyze it further when they make it official.
[+] Enlarge
Jason Miller/US PresswireThe Raiders say they have not made a decision on coach Tom Cable's future, but rumors are swirling.
Jason Miller/US PresswireThe Raiders say they have not made a decision on coach Tom Cable's future, but rumors are swirling.I wouldn’t be shocked at all if the Raiders do announce that Cable will be brought back. It has seems to be heading that way for the past couple of days.
There has been a staff addition – the team hired defensive line coach Mike Waufle on Friday -- and had an interview with Baltimore quarterbacks coach Hue Jackson for offensive coordinator. I think a Cable-Jackson pairing could be good for Oakland.
Cable would be relieved of play-calling duties and allowed to concentrate on the bigger picture. That may help this inexperienced NFL head coach. Jackson has a strong history with quarterbacks, so maybe JaMarcus Russell would have a chance to develop.
There are positives in this development if that’s what Oakland announces.
Again, it looks like this saga may be over. I look forward to the Raiders’ announcement and will be ready to analyze it further when they make it official.
Posted by ESPN.com's Matt Mosley
Defensive ends Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora get a lot of attention, but the mainstay of the Giants' defensive line since '06 has been defensive tackle Barry Cofield. He was taken in the fourth round out of Northwestern in '06 and he immediately became a starter. In his four years with the club, he's started all but one game. On Friday, the Beast had an opportunity to spend about 15 minutes on the phone with Cofield.
Barry, you guys aren't used to two-game losing streaks. What's this feel like?
Cofield: There are certain expectations around here and we don't handle losing too well. It's not a normal thing to be dealing with, and on top of that, we're going to Philly. I know you've written about last season's phone incident [with Donovan McNabb] and it's not like that's the most respectable thing a guy can do. But it's not like we need that for motivation. We're always going to want to kill Donovan McNabb -- even if he's the nicest guy in the world.
Because of your close proximity to the Eagles, does this rivalry mean even more to you?
Cofield: I think [the defensive line] puts the Cowboys and the Eagles in the same category. I've played against the Eagles eight times in three years, so I'm pretty familiar with them. We know each other's schemes really well so you can just go out and play.
The Eagles have added some weapons to their offense. Do you see Andy Reid doing anything different than in the past?
Cofield: Andy Reid's still the braintrust. We'll see a lot of different formations and it's a team that has a lot of gadgets. But you're right, they have some new faces. They're exceptionally fast and they've also made a lot of changes up front. Jon Runyan and Tra Thomas were nasty guys. They were the cornerstones of that offense. Runyan was a mauler and some people thought he was dirty. Now they have a smaller guy in [Winston] Justice and converted tight end in Jason Peters on the left side.
How important will it be to get Chris Canty and Michael Boley back on the field?
Cofield: We look really forward to getting those guys back, but I really don't know when it will happen. [Tom] Coughlin doesn't tell us because he probably doesn't want me to leak it to guys like you.
Have you spent a lot of time preparing for the Eagles' Wildcat formation?
Cofield: They ran it with [Brian] Westbrook last year, so we've seen some of it before. We've gone back and studies some of the plays they ran in the preseason. If they don't use [the Wildcat] this week, they're not saving it for anyone else. This is the game you'd want to do it all.
What's the most important thing in mind when facing a quarterback like Donovan McNabb?
Cofield: With McNabb, you have to get him to the ground. You pretty much have to treat him like a running back and it's important to wrap up his legs and drag him to the ground. If you don't, he's strong enough to shake tackles.
Have you guys gone back and looked at that '07 game where Winston Justice had so much trouble against Umenyiora?
Cofield: Definitely. Our position coach Mike Waufle had breakdowns that go all the way back to '04. They have a new wrinkle here and there, but they still have their bread and butter. We don't focus so much on entire games. We look back at a lot of plays. But to get back to Justice, he's definitely come into his own since that '07 game.
What do you make of the Eagles' fans?
Cofield: They are some of the rudest fans that you'll meet. But they're almost some of the most passionate. We've had our team bus egged, we've been flipped off and we've seen some bare [rears]. It's a different kind of atmosphere, that's for sure.
Mosley: I know you think the Beast spends too much time praising Tuck, so I'm glad you were able to join us for a few minutes.
Defensive ends Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora get a lot of attention, but the mainstay of the Giants' defensive line since '06 has been defensive tackle Barry Cofield. He was taken in the fourth round out of Northwestern in '06 and he immediately became a starter. In his four years with the club, he's started all but one game. On Friday, the Beast had an opportunity to spend about 15 minutes on the phone with Cofield.
Barry, you guys aren't used to two-game losing streaks. What's this feel like?
Cofield: There are certain expectations around here and we don't handle losing too well. It's not a normal thing to be dealing with, and on top of that, we're going to Philly. I know you've written about last season's phone incident [with Donovan McNabb] and it's not like that's the most respectable thing a guy can do. But it's not like we need that for motivation. We're always going to want to kill Donovan McNabb -- even if he's the nicest guy in the world.
 | |
| Larry French/Getty Images | |
| Barry Cofield is looking forward to Sunday’s matchup with the Eagles in Philadelphia. |
Cofield: I think [the defensive line] puts the Cowboys and the Eagles in the same category. I've played against the Eagles eight times in three years, so I'm pretty familiar with them. We know each other's schemes really well so you can just go out and play.
The Eagles have added some weapons to their offense. Do you see Andy Reid doing anything different than in the past?
Cofield: Andy Reid's still the braintrust. We'll see a lot of different formations and it's a team that has a lot of gadgets. But you're right, they have some new faces. They're exceptionally fast and they've also made a lot of changes up front. Jon Runyan and Tra Thomas were nasty guys. They were the cornerstones of that offense. Runyan was a mauler and some people thought he was dirty. Now they have a smaller guy in [Winston] Justice and converted tight end in Jason Peters on the left side.
How important will it be to get Chris Canty and Michael Boley back on the field?
Cofield: We look really forward to getting those guys back, but I really don't know when it will happen. [Tom] Coughlin doesn't tell us because he probably doesn't want me to leak it to guys like you.
Have you spent a lot of time preparing for the Eagles' Wildcat formation?
Cofield: They ran it with [Brian] Westbrook last year, so we've seen some of it before. We've gone back and studies some of the plays they ran in the preseason. If they don't use [the Wildcat] this week, they're not saving it for anyone else. This is the game you'd want to do it all.
What's the most important thing in mind when facing a quarterback like Donovan McNabb?
Cofield: With McNabb, you have to get him to the ground. You pretty much have to treat him like a running back and it's important to wrap up his legs and drag him to the ground. If you don't, he's strong enough to shake tackles.
Have you guys gone back and looked at that '07 game where Winston Justice had so much trouble against Umenyiora?
Cofield: Definitely. Our position coach Mike Waufle had breakdowns that go all the way back to '04. They have a new wrinkle here and there, but they still have their bread and butter. We don't focus so much on entire games. We look back at a lot of plays. But to get back to Justice, he's definitely come into his own since that '07 game.
What do you make of the Eagles' fans?
Cofield: They are some of the rudest fans that you'll meet. But they're almost some of the most passionate. We've had our team bus egged, we've been flipped off and we've seen some bare [rears]. It's a different kind of atmosphere, that's for sure.
Mosley: I know you think the Beast spends too much time praising Tuck, so I'm glad you were able to join us for a few minutes.
Posted by ESPN.com's Matt Mosley
The New York Giants hosted two unrestricted free agents Saturday -- and ended up signing both. We've already talked about linebacker Michael Boley, but later in the evening the Giants signed former Seahawks defensive tackle Rocky Bernard.
The Bernard negotiation took longer than Boley's, but it didn't come close to breaking down. Cowboys defensive end Chris Canty was having dinner with Giants defensive line coach Mike Waufle when Bernard's deal was completed. The Giants would love to have Canty, but he's asking for somewhere in the $8 million per year range.
Giants general manager Jerry Reese isn't going to bite on that deal. And I'm not sure Canty would be a great fit in the Giants' defense. He wouldn't be able to do much damage from the edge, and I think he may be a little overrated as a run stuffer. He has impeccable character, though, and I'm sure Bill Parcells and Al Groh are in Tom Coughlin's ear about him.
Is there any way he ends up back in Dallas? I wouldn't bet on it.
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