Market for T.O. will be surprisingly hot
As Steelers, ’Hawks prove, teams must makes changes to stay competitive
J. Pat Carter / APTerrell Owens caused headaches for the Eagles but he still will be hotly pursued this offseason, NBCSports.com contributor Don Pierson says.
Q: With all the openings for head coach in the NFL, Why is it that no assistant coaches from the Indianapolis Colts are never mentioned for the open positions? Ten openings and not a whisper.
—Daniel P., Las Vegas
A: I believe quarterbacks coach Jim Caldwell, who filled in for Tony Dungy during his one-game absence in Seattle, got some calls. Otherwise, you’re right. I believe it’s because offensive coordinator Tom Moore is 67 years old and defensive coordinator Ron Meeks operates in the shadow of Dungy on defense and joined the team in 2002.
Q: How do you think coach Mike Nolan did with San Francisco in his first year? He did manage to get the 49ers out of the NFL cellar, at least according to wins, but they had the worst offensive stats I’ve seen in a long time. Do you think Kevan Barlow should get benched to make way for Frank Gore?
--Victor Castillo, Santa Ana, Calif.
A: He did OK on a woefully undermanned team. Now new offensive coordinator Norv Turner must try to pick up where Mike McCarthy left off, which wasn’t very far with No. 1 draft pick Alex Smith. The young quarterback battled injuries and must adapt to a new coach. Upgrading the running game is vital, and Gore outplayed Barlow anyway so he deserves a shot at the starting job. But offense isn’t Nolan’s only problem. The 49ers had the unusual distinction of finishing dead last in defense as well as offense, not a happy combination for future plans. The guess is Nolan will lean toward defense in the draft, especially if one of their best players, linebacker Julian Peterson, splits in free agency.
Q: When will the NFL elect to have a draft lottery like the NBA for teams with similar or close-to-similar records after the season? Automatically giving the top draft pick to the worst team is not fair to the fans. Creating a draft for the six worst teams, as opposed to just handing draft picks out in order based on the teams’ record, would go farther to ensure that the fans get the best out of each team during all 16 games.
—Alejandro, La Mesa, Calif.
A: I understand the point, but am not certain it would solve the problem, if there is one. I think this was an unusual season in that there were several bad teams and so many vying for the No. 1 pick. A lottery for the bottom six is liable to provide disincentive for six teams down the stretch, each hoping to become a part of the lottery. With coaching and playing jobs constantly on the line, the NFL doesn’t have too many games when people are just going through the motions. Everything the league does in terms of draft position, the waiver wire and the schedule is designed to maintain competitive balance. Giving the worst team the top pick is so ingrained in their tradition that I can’t see a change.
Q: The Atlanta Falcons have given Michael Vick every available tool to improve on his passing game and Alge Crumpler is getting beat up all the time. What glaring need does the team need in order to make themselves a serious playoff contender? Also, if they trade T.J. Duckett, what do you think they would get for him?
--Michael C., Atlanta
A: Atlanta, you have a problem. More than one, probably. This did not resemble a team on the rise, especially down the stretch when they had a chance to get into the playoffs and failed, then laid down miserably against Carolina in the season finale, not a good sign for the future. Coach Jim Mora didn’t seem to handle the adversity well, so that’s the first area of need. He and his staff have to do a better job of preparing for the long haul of any season. The team seemed to reflect the volatile personality of the coach. Second, they have to figure out what to do with Vick. They have hired a new quarterbacks coach, Bill Musgrave from Washington, to replace Mike Johnson, who was a scapegoat for Vick’s lack of progress. Musgrave worked with left-hander Mark Brunell with the Redskins, so maybe that will help. It’s unclear whether they are trying to fit Vick into their offense or adapt their offense to fit Vick. If they aren’t doing more of the latter, they are doomed, because Vick is a unique talent who needs adequate leeway to do his own thing. It may require drastic measures, such as NEVER having him pass from the pocket instead of trying to get him to stay in the pocket more. An unconventional player needs unconventional coaching. A better offensive line always can help. So can another receiver. But until they figure out what they want to do with Vick and whether he can do it, they will stay on the fringes of success. Duckett wouldn’t have much trade value. His production dropped from 4.9 yards a carry last year to only 3.1 this year. He is primarily a short-yardage, goal line runner who will be entering his fifth season. Like Ron Dayne, another Big 10 big back who was a first-round draft choice, Duckett hasn’t fulfilled his potential. A team might offer a late-round pick but would be more inclined to fill a need by drafting a younger prospect.
Q: The technique that Nick Saban used last year during free agency was to go after veteran developed players such as Kevin Carter and Vonnie Holiday. Do you think he will use the same approach to get Ty Law and Terrell Owens in Dolphins uniforms next year? And who do you see the Dolphins selecting 16th overall in the first round?
--Dale Jordan, Freeport, Bahamas
A: Saban has shown no hesitation in taking on veterans thought to be washed up or controversial, so both those players are possibilities if the team can manipulate its salary cap. I would guess, however, that Saban will not limit himself to having a mostly veteran roster. He obviously wants to win now, but I would guess he will rely more on the draft in future years to build his own foundation and core group. With the 16th pick, expect Saban to go defense if practical because that’s his specialty and it needs attention. Somebody like Florida State linemen Brodrick Bunkley or Kamerion Wimbley or Miami cornerback Kelly Jennings are possibilities. He doesn’t even have to travel outside the state to scout.
Don Pierson writes regularly for NBCSports.com and covers the NFL for the Chicago Tribune. For more of Pierson's work, visit http://www.chicagosports.com/
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