Sportswriters like to believe that our opinion matters most. We want to convince everyone that we're right. We'll try to talk you into it, even if it takes all day. We go on ego trips and stay too long.
I'm not going to try to make the case for, or against, Jim Haslett.
Sure, I have an opinion.
After losing 45 of their previous 64 games, the Rams need to make a change. They need to move as far away from the status quo as much as possible. And that's problematic for Haslett. As defensive coordinator, and then interim head coach, he has been in a leadership position at Rams Park for the last three seasons.
Haslett's defense has never ranked better than 28th out of 32 NFL teams in points allowed. And Haslett certainly had considerable influence (if not total control) over personnel on the defensive side. Haslett's record as an NFL head coach is 47-61. Ugh.
But this isn't an open-and-shut case. The Rams aren't in prime position to attract an exciting, big-fish coach. This isn't a cash-rich franchise, and the Rams aren't going to spend huge dollars on a head coach.
And with seven or eight expected openings around the NFL, the money is a factor. As I wrote the other day, the head-coach position is more appealing with Billy Devaney installed as the general manager. But let's be realistic: This St. Louis job has chewed up coaches. And it seems that "senior adviser" John Shaw will be involved in the coaching search, sitting in on the second interviews of the two or three finalists. (Red flag). And as they are flying to Los Angeles - not St. Louis - for the interview, interested candidates might want to ask a few questions about Shaw's long-distance influence.
All of this (and more) explains why Rams upper management may conclude that Haslett is their best option. Haslett will be a tough sell to the fan base, unless you're the type of person who draws emotional inspiration from a 10-game losing streak.
And that's why my opinion doesn't matter.
If the Rams decide to stay the course with Haslett and hope to make a sale, they'll have to convince the most important people: you, the customer. You are buying the tickets - not me.
So can you be talked into buying into Haslett?
First, Haslett must convince Devaney, Shaw and the owners that he's the most sensible realistic option to go forward with the franchise. Haslett must convince the top dogs that they'll see something bold and dramatically different from him in 2009, compared to the three previous dud seasons at Rams Park.
"It can't be window dressing," Devaney said. "It has to be radical in every phase. It can't be status quo. With Jim, I'll want to know, 'What exactly do you have in mind to change things and make a true difference as Rams coach?' ''
After working the hallways at Rams Park on Monday, I believe I have a good handle on Haslett's campaign pitch to management:
- A new offensive coordinator, a new defensive coordinator and a new special teams coach. Sources tell me that Haslett was working the phones on Monday, trying to line up tentative commitments. Some recognizable, even impressive, names are in the mix. Put it this way: how would you feel about Dom Capers as defensive coordinator and (drum roll) Mike Martz as offensive coordinator?
- Haslett has put together an offseason plan for upgrading key positions. The list should be familiar to you by now; it includes an offensive tackle, a guard, a middle linebacker, a wide body at defensive tackle, a physical wide receiver and a fullback.
- Haslett also will recommend the weeding out of a few knuckleheads, including the immature guard, Richie Incognito. Haslett kicked Incognito out of the locker room before Sunday's game in Atlanta after Incognito complained of having a queasy stomach. Incognito didn't suit up for the game.
- Haslett will try to convince the bosses that he'll have a new coaching staff assembled in short order, which will give the Rams a jump on NFL teams scrambling for assistants after hiring the new head coach.
- Haslett is determined to work with the trainers and strength coaches to develop a new offseason regimen for the injury-prone running back, Steven Jackson, the franchise centerpiece.
- Haslett apparently is willing to accept a reasonable two-year deal, which would give Rams management a relatively painless escape if they change their mind on Haslett a year from now.
Given the sales pitch, are you willing to buy into Jim Haslett?
