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SPF T.I. Poll (Week 19, Part 2): Teams "On the Verge"

This is SPF's group of teams that are "On The Verge" of reaching elite status.  They all have challenges, but they are clearly heading in the right direction.

4.  Washington Redskins - A lot can happen in a week.  The Redskins' magical playoff journey came to an end on a cold field in Seattle to the surprise of many.  They had the Seahawks on the ropes in the second half, but then the game just got away from them.

This loss was followed by the announcement that Joe Gibbs was stepping down as coach.  SPF isn't surprised at this development because we always felt there was some buyer's remorse from Gibbs at ever returning to the fold.  The Redskins were better than they had been, but they still never made it back to the elite level.  Gibbs could obviously see that the team was only going to go so far under his leadership the second time around.  SPF believes he cares more about his legacy than people understand.

Stepping down now is the right thing for Gibbs, even if it leaves the Redskins with some key decisions.  Choosing to interview Titans DC Jim Schwartz first is a very interesting move.  The consensus was that DC Gregg Williams would take over for Gibbs, but Schwartz was an assistant under Williams when he was the DC in Tennessee.

Maybe owner Daniel Snyder values OC Al Saunders more than Williams.  If so, he might be right.  SPF is just speculating, but Saunders and Williams might have "chillier" relationship than the public knows because Gibbs was always there to mediate.  Saunders has long been known to have a prickly personality, so it is unlikely he will ever get a head coaching gig.  However, Saunders may choose not to stay if Williams is his head coach.

Schwartz would then be the perfect compromise.  Schwartz could keep Williams' scheme in place while allowing Saunders to run the offense.  Offense is at a premium in today's NFL.

We shall see how it all works out, but there are interesting times ahead for the Redskins.  Snyder learned something from Jerry Jones - when your personnel is good, you only need to find the coach that will press the right buttons.

5. Tennessee Titans - The Titans had an amazing year.  They won 10 games, made the playoffs, and did well against a much better Charger squad even though the Titans had critical injuries on offense.

This article shows why things are looking even better for the Titans going into next season.  Jeff Fisher is making a offense his off season priority.  Last year, the Titans' defense was ranked dead last and Fisher vowed to improve it.  It finished this year as the fifth best.

Expect the Titans to find more weapons for Vince Young and LenDale White.  The Titans biggest obstacle will be their division, but the Titans had a great record splitting their games with Jacksonville and Indy and sweeping the Texans. 

Besides the Jags, no one made a bigger leap in SPF country.

6. Miami Dolphins - SPF lauded the hiring of Bill Parcells, and it is already paying dividends for the Dolphins.  There are only 4 coaching vacancies, and the Dolphins appear to be first in line picking for the candidate pool. 

The word is that Tony Sparano has already got the job.  He is a top flight assistant whose attention to detail makes players better.  Most of all, Sparano's experience with both Parcells and GM Jeff Ireland will create a strong brain trust at the top of the Dolphins organization, something that hasn't been there since Jimmy Johnson was in charge.

Don't be fooled by the Dolphins' 1-15 record.  Just as SPF correctly predicted a Dolphins collapse before this past season, we also predict a huge improvement now that the Cam and Randy Show has been cancelled.  The AFC East is just plain bad outside of the Pats.  Parcells will make sure to keep the good players and jettison the bad ones.  The Dolphins will play tougher and smarter in a hurry.  8-8 is a real possibility.

(If you don't think division strength matters, think about our next team.  The Texans would likely have made the playoffs if they had played in the AFC East rather than the AFC South in which 5 of their 8 losses came from within the division.  In the AFC East, they might have only two losses, both to the Pats.)

7. Houston Texans - The Texans off season has already started well.  In dealing with the loss of OC Mike Sherman to Texas A&M, coach Gary Kubiak has hired Alex Gibbs as an assistant head coach to oversee the offense.  Gibbs is credited with the creation of "zone blocking" which allowed the Denver Broncos to dominate the NFL's rushing stats even though the team employed a series of non-stars in the backfield.  Gibbs is expected to help new Texans' OC Kyle Shanahan adjust to his expanded role.

Kubiak continues to show wisdom beyond his years with this move.  He knows the value of experience.  Losing Sherman's inspired him to hire Gibbs'.  The Gibbs track record is clear - the Texans will run the ball well next year.  If they do that, then the rest of their issues should get better in a hurry.

Great move!  This team continues to make progress.

Part 3: Teams At The Crossroads

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