Rating the NFL Coaching Hires: The Veteran Coaches

Rating the new head coach hires

A+ Art Shell, Oakland Raiders
The last hire of the year was the best. This will turnout to be one of those situations where the Bears hadto settle for Lovie Smith or Notre Dame had to settlefor Charlie Weis. Shell is the right man for the job. Art knows exactly how to be a head coach. He knows exactly how to coach the Raiders. There was only one person for this job, and it was Art. Bobby Petrino was not as good a fit for this job. Neither was KenWhisenhunt. This needed to be Art's job. Great hire byAl Davis, even if he was sorta forced into it.

A- Dick Jauron, Buffalo Bills
Jauron is a fine football coach, and he has shown the ability to be a successful head coach somewhat in the NFL. He will have about the same level of talent atBuffalo that he had in Chicago several years ago. And he will have one of the same problems: a young quarterback who may not be an NFL starter with veteran ability sitting on the bench. In Chicago, Jauron had Cade McNown, who was forced into a starting role for a playoff team and failed miserably, while Jim Miller had the support of the team. In Buffalo, Jauron islooking at JP Losman, while Kelly Holcombe may have the support of the team. But, long-term, I look forJauron to succeed.

B+ Herm Edwards, Kansas City Chiefs
Boy did the Chiefs want Herm. With Al Saunders sitting there, Carl Peterson went out and got Herm. And I think that's a plus. Also, he was a good to very good head coach for the Jets for most of his tenure there. I actually think he did OK last year, all things considered. How would Tony Dungy have done with Peyton Manning and Jim Sorgi hurt and out in week two or three? I would have like to see Al Saunders get a shot, but the Herm hire was a pretty good one.