Flores is a genius defensive coordinator. But the skills it takes to be a good head coach are not the same as the skills it takes to manage offensive, defensive and special teams. There is a lot more delegation that is required to be a head coach.
Flores did a horrible job in Miami. He did his best to ruin Tua. But, sometimes coaches need to learn lessons from their first job in order to grow .
Based on his prowess with the Vikings defense, there is a reasonable chance he would have gotten a second chance. Bellichick got a second chance. But suing the NFL eliminated the chance of that happening . But at $6 million per season, he’s doing ok. And the Packers, Bears and Lions will pay the price for that
Two very, very different occupations. That's for sure.
I think coaches can learn and grow.
But it's also really clear Brian Flores can be himself and get a ton out of guys in this exact role with this personnel. Making HC-level money, too. Every penny's worth it to an ownership group that spends.
Ty! You have no equal in the sports writing industry. A shame Pulitzer’s don’t go to writers like you. Flores is suited for DC. His mistake was going after the NFL. That never ends with a happy ending. The league can preach all the woke ideology in the world but owners are insulated by the league like the mafia has hit men. Kapernick can attest to that. The Rooney rule was a mistake from its inception and anyone who had real belief that it was in fact real is a bit of a fool in my opinion. Flores is making 6 mil/yr. and has better job security than a head coach even though usually when the big guy goes the rest usually follow. Aaron Glenn was a great DC too. Terrible head coach. I want to comment on Williams too. He has a MILD HAMMY? When he got hurt it seemed like it was an Achilles or knee. He screamed on the ground like his career was over. Is he a wuss? The fact that he may play this week makes the whole situation just look real bad for him. Caleb believes he’s the best? Gonna be a long time before anyone agrees with him. Have to think some in that locker room are looking at him a bit different now too. Leaders don’t act like that.
Much appreciated, James! Just extremely fortunate you all take the time to read with an open mind. Something I never take for granted.
The Caleb Williams discourse has been something else this week, eh? Memes run wild. I could relate to the one referencing the hospital beds for Dads in newborn rooms. So exceptionally uncomfortable.
Reaction was extreme, to put it lightly.
Imagine there was immense disappointment in not being able to finish that 4Q drive and lead another comeback... coupled with the unknown of an injury... with some dramatics sprinkled in there. A bit of everything.
Chicago is sure breathing a sign of relief. Based off his agony in the moment, this looked like Derrick Rose all over again.
Indeed, this was a great article. Tyler nails the dynamics that come with leadership, and the often fine line in many aspects of it.
Also, not that surprised about Williams, though it's kind of funny reading between the lines today on stories referencing his injury. This is the guy who was crying in his mother's arms after a college game loss. In fairness, he's hardly the first athlete in recent years who has howled in pain with an injury that turned out minor, but it's hard to watch and easy to be skeptical of just the same.
As a Vikings fan, I LOVED this piece. I couldn't tell you how happy I was when the Vikes hired Flores to replaced Donatell, but reading the impact that Flores has had on this team has made me even happier. I don't feel optimism much, and I know that it's VERY early in the season, but if the Vikes just have stability at QB to complement their ferocious defense, there's no reason why they shouldn't be NFC North favorites.
It’s a curious comment — “It’s an unkind profession” — that I’d love to explore. Players (and coaches) often publicly espouse a level of faith that doesn’t necessarily correlate with a focus on unkindness. Is it too impossible to be kind and win in the trenches of the NFL?
Amen to this Chris. The coaches who can lean into this inherent cruelness without going Full Zim/Patricia/etc will have the edge. A fine line, I think.
Dig it. I will definitely try, James. That would be phenomenal.
Remember watching that performance vs. Lamar well.
Dolphins season was in shambles and he made an MVP QB look like a bum. Incredible scheme, but guys also feed off those calls. Talking to these Vikings players -- once they understand what in the hell they're doing -- they truly LOVE this attacking style. A lot more fun than sitting back and asking a team to go 10 to 15 plays on you, simply waiting for them to screw up. YOLO.
Flores is a genius defensive coordinator. But the skills it takes to be a good head coach are not the same as the skills it takes to manage offensive, defensive and special teams. There is a lot more delegation that is required to be a head coach.
Flores did a horrible job in Miami. He did his best to ruin Tua. But, sometimes coaches need to learn lessons from their first job in order to grow .
Based on his prowess with the Vikings defense, there is a reasonable chance he would have gotten a second chance. Bellichick got a second chance. But suing the NFL eliminated the chance of that happening . But at $6 million per season, he’s doing ok. And the Packers, Bears and Lions will pay the price for that
Two very, very different occupations. That's for sure.
I think coaches can learn and grow.
But it's also really clear Brian Flores can be himself and get a ton out of guys in this exact role with this personnel. Making HC-level money, too. Every penny's worth it to an ownership group that spends.
Ty! You have no equal in the sports writing industry. A shame Pulitzer’s don’t go to writers like you. Flores is suited for DC. His mistake was going after the NFL. That never ends with a happy ending. The league can preach all the woke ideology in the world but owners are insulated by the league like the mafia has hit men. Kapernick can attest to that. The Rooney rule was a mistake from its inception and anyone who had real belief that it was in fact real is a bit of a fool in my opinion. Flores is making 6 mil/yr. and has better job security than a head coach even though usually when the big guy goes the rest usually follow. Aaron Glenn was a great DC too. Terrible head coach. I want to comment on Williams too. He has a MILD HAMMY? When he got hurt it seemed like it was an Achilles or knee. He screamed on the ground like his career was over. Is he a wuss? The fact that he may play this week makes the whole situation just look real bad for him. Caleb believes he’s the best? Gonna be a long time before anyone agrees with him. Have to think some in that locker room are looking at him a bit different now too. Leaders don’t act like that.
Much appreciated, James! Just extremely fortunate you all take the time to read with an open mind. Something I never take for granted.
The Caleb Williams discourse has been something else this week, eh? Memes run wild. I could relate to the one referencing the hospital beds for Dads in newborn rooms. So exceptionally uncomfortable.
Reaction was extreme, to put it lightly.
Imagine there was immense disappointment in not being able to finish that 4Q drive and lead another comeback... coupled with the unknown of an injury... with some dramatics sprinkled in there. A bit of everything.
Chicago is sure breathing a sign of relief. Based off his agony in the moment, this looked like Derrick Rose all over again.
I didn’t see any of that. I don’t do social media. I saw the play live and thought it was Achilles. Weird dude.
Indeed, this was a great article. Tyler nails the dynamics that come with leadership, and the often fine line in many aspects of it.
Also, not that surprised about Williams, though it's kind of funny reading between the lines today on stories referencing his injury. This is the guy who was crying in his mother's arms after a college game loss. In fairness, he's hardly the first athlete in recent years who has howled in pain with an injury that turned out minor, but it's hard to watch and easy to be skeptical of just the same.
I recall him crying with his Mom. He also wore a skirt and painted his nails if I recall correctly. Weird dude.
Regarding the Bears and Caleb, in the wise words of one Jim Monos, "Week 1 means nothing."
As a Vikings fan, I LOVED this piece. I couldn't tell you how happy I was when the Vikes hired Flores to replaced Donatell, but reading the impact that Flores has had on this team has made me even happier. I don't feel optimism much, and I know that it's VERY early in the season, but if the Vikes just have stability at QB to complement their ferocious defense, there's no reason why they shouldn't be NFC North favorites.
It’s a curious comment — “It’s an unkind profession” — that I’d love to explore. Players (and coaches) often publicly espouse a level of faith that doesn’t necessarily correlate with a focus on unkindness. Is it too impossible to be kind and win in the trenches of the NFL?
Amen to this Chris. The coaches who can lean into this inherent cruelness without going Full Zim/Patricia/etc will have the edge. A fine line, I think.
Dig it. I will definitely try, James. That would be phenomenal.
Remember watching that performance vs. Lamar well.
Dolphins season was in shambles and he made an MVP QB look like a bum. Incredible scheme, but guys also feed off those calls. Talking to these Vikings players -- once they understand what in the hell they're doing -- they truly LOVE this attacking style. A lot more fun than sitting back and asking a team to go 10 to 15 plays on you, simply waiting for them to screw up. YOLO.