12th's Five Coach Of The Year Candidates

No, Tomlin took over an 8-8 team that didn't make the playoffs. He also completely changed the offensive philosophy.

If you want to start making coach of the year picks on hypotheticals you better go both ways. Phillips and McCarthy both beat us. No one expected GB to be as good as they are. And I certainly didn't expect Dallas to be this good either. Wade is showing us with Bill Parcells team what good coaching can do to a talented team. Parcells couldn't get it done, Wade comes in and the players react to him and they're playing great.

I just think at highest you can consider Gibbs a candidate is around the 10 spot.

I beg to differ - big time. Phillips nor Tomlin get this far with a back-up quarterback running the show. And by playoff ready, I meant that from a personnel stand point, the Steelers didn't have to change or add much, did they?

Funny, I wrote JLC an e-mail last week about this. I say if we make the playoffs and even win one game, hands down he should be the winner. If Cleveland doesn't make the playoffs Crowell should be out of the running, McCarthy has done a great job but choked when the could still be fighting for home field advantage. Del Rio should be considered, Belichick has done an awesome job but has a cheating asterisk. Dungy has had his injuries but still has Peyton Manning. Joe Gibbs, to me this years coaching job is even better than 1992, any of the coaches mentioned above who lose their right side OL, CB, S, LB, FB for about 3 games, an assortment of WR through out the year, QB, backup comes in wins critical games, RT, your 3rd string undrafted, rookie comes in and does a better job than the 2nd string, deserves coach of the year.

McCarthy and Tomlin should be on the ballot as well. Neither were picked to do well during the preseason and both have exceeded all expectations.

I could see Gibbs getting some love. I don't see another team out there that's overcome more this year than the Redskins.

I beg to differ - big time. Phillips nor Tomlin get this far with a back-up quarterback running the show. And by playoff ready, I meant that from a personnel stand point, the Steelers didn't have to change or add much, did they?

Let's look at your top 4: Where are the Pats, Colts, Browns, and Jags without Brady, Manning, Anderson, and Garrard? I hate all these what if games you keep playing. This is coach of the year, who did the best job coaching. Not the what if bowl. Those teams kept their quarterbacks healthy, attrition is part of football -- it's not an excuse it's something you have to work around and expect.

I don't see Tomlin getting it only because the Steelers right now aren't truly his team. It's Bill Cowher's talent. Don't get me wrong he's done a great job, but he took over a talented team full of battle tested vets and all he's had to do is hold the reins and not ruin a good thing.

Let's look at your top 4: Where are the Pats, Colts, Browns, and Jags without Brady, Manning, Anderson, and Garrard? I hate all these what if games you keep playing. This is coach of the year, who did the best job coaching. Not the what if bowl. Those teams kept their quarterbacks healthy, attrition is part of football -- it's not an excuse it's something you have to work around and expect.

Oh, we're on the same page. Clearly, clearly I think Belichick will get the nod, and deservedly so. That's why I have him at number one. I've always maintained that injuries aren't an excuse but a reality. But even you would agree that Joe Gibbs has dealt with that reality quite well.

But...but, I think Joe Gibss does deserve some consideration. He's done a great job any way you want to slice it. That's not taking anything away from the other guys at all. Tomlin, he's just not on the top of my list. And I'll bet we'll see why in the playoffs.

Romeo Crennel: .......................he has done more with less than any coach out there.

Romeo Crennel: .......................he has done more with less than any coach out there.

So has Gibbs and if Romeo doesn't make the playoffs and Gibbs does, that would be a moot point.

So has Gibbs and if Romeo doesn't make the playoffs and Gibbs does, that would be a moot point.

Pretty much. But if they both go the playoffs, I think Gibbs will still receive more votes than Crennel.