• Mike McCarthy's the choice. Ten instant thoughts ...
• I'm uninspired. That stands out. I'd very much looked forward to being inspired by the Steelers' future -- or even the present, as it applied to the future -- and what Art Rooney and Omar Khan delivered was, in essence, that they'll run it back.
Uninspired and disappointed.
But also, as ever, open-minded.
• McCarthy can coach. He's always been a better coach than Mike Tomlin. I'm obviously OK with that part, particularly what it could have on the offense and at the quarterback position.
• But he's 62 and, while imagination and innovation have never been his issue, it's far less likely that there'd be a push toward expanding his staff, upgrading facilities and other elements that could've come from being pressed by some hotshot younger candidate. It's not easy to get the Rooneys to spend. It would've taken something like that.
• This tale, as it stands, ultimately will be told by the coordinators. If McCarthy's truly free to hire who he wants, he can assimilate a lot of additional imagination and innovation, maybe even ushering in a new era of the Steelers hiring coordinators who aren't blanket yes men.
My goodness, what a difference that alone might make. It's tough to even picture.
• But if, as the Rooneys tend to do, they'll choose the cheap route and prioritize existing contracts, it couldn't be clearer that ... well, that they're just running it back.
• I don't care if McCarthy's hiring means Aaron Rodgers could return. I do care that McCarthy's eminently capable of helping Will Howard or another young quarterback mature. Here again, just handing the huddle back to Rodgers is ... running it back.
• McCarthy's a personable guy. And hailing from Greenfield, a small city neighborhood adjacent to Squirrel Hill, he's wholly one of us. I'll never pretend that doesn't or shouldn't matter. I'll take real. I'll take authentic. I'll take Pittsburgh. And specific to football, I'll take someone who won't need to study up on the Steelers.
• I can't fathom not waiting for the Rams' two guys. Makes no sense to not at least meet with both Chris Shula and Nate Scheelhaase. Lots can be learned in those, even if neither's deemed a serious candidate.
• I'll reiterate my own wish to remain objective on this. I look forward to meeting McCarthy and to asking all the appropriate questions of all involved.
THE ASYLUM
Grind: Thoughts on McCarthy
Good Sunday morning!
• Mike McCarthy's the choice. Ten instant thoughts ...
• I'm uninspired. That stands out. I'd very much looked forward to being inspired by the Steelers' future -- or even the present, as it applied to the future -- and what Art Rooney and Omar Khan delivered was, in essence, that they'll run it back.
Uninspired and disappointed.
But also, as ever, open-minded.
• McCarthy can coach. He's always been a better coach than Mike Tomlin. I'm obviously OK with that part, particularly what it could have on the offense and at the quarterback position.
• But he's 62 and, while imagination and innovation have never been his issue, it's far less likely that there'd be a push toward expanding his staff, upgrading facilities and other elements that could've come from being pressed by some hotshot younger candidate. It's not easy to get the Rooneys to spend. It would've taken something like that.
• This tale, as it stands, ultimately will be told by the coordinators. If McCarthy's truly free to hire who he wants, he can assimilate a lot of additional imagination and innovation, maybe even ushering in a new era of the Steelers hiring coordinators who aren't blanket yes men.
My goodness, what a difference that alone might make. It's tough to even picture.
• But if, as the Rooneys tend to do, they'll choose the cheap route and prioritize existing contracts, it couldn't be clearer that ... well, that they're just running it back.
• I don't care if McCarthy's hiring means Aaron Rodgers could return. I do care that McCarthy's eminently capable of helping Will Howard or another young quarterback mature. Here again, just handing the huddle back to Rodgers is ... running it back.
• McCarthy's a personable guy. And hailing from Greenfield, a small city neighborhood adjacent to Squirrel Hill, he's wholly one of us. I'll never pretend that doesn't or shouldn't matter. I'll take real. I'll take authentic. I'll take Pittsburgh. And specific to football, I'll take someone who won't need to study up on the Steelers.
• I can't fathom not waiting for the Rams' two guys. Makes no sense to not at least meet with both Chris Shula and Nate Scheelhaase. Lots can be learned in those, even if neither's deemed a serious candidate.
• I'll reiterate my own wish to remain objective on this. I look forward to meeting McCarthy and to asking all the appropriate questions of all involved.
• So, so, so much work still ahead.
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