Mike MacDonald will carry this team.

[Fox0r]

No more doubts. We're all in.

 

[Rat]

Yeah, you need at least four pallbearers.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

It's definitely gonna take time, just like it did with Pete. Looking forward to seeing this thing build.

 

[Spin Doctor]

=

No more doubts. We're all in.

He might, he might not. We still don't know what we have in this man. Back in 2009 I saw many similar sentiments from people on this board about Jim Mora Jr.

The bottom line on Mike MacDonald is he's still an unknown quantity that is learning that being a HC. I don't think this team is going to make the playoffs and that is okay. I just want to see some progression.

Thus far, it's been a mixed bag. I will say, some of the concerns are unfounded. For example, I've seen people question is ability as DC. That is a non-negotiable for me. At the collegiate level and pro game, he's cemented himself as one of the best young minds as a coordinator. There is a reason he was such a hot commodity, Dan Quinn was considered the consolation prize. He's fielded a top defense at both levels and he's consistently had a strong defense, this is not where he lacks.

Where I have some doubt starting to creep in is in his ability as a manager. On the sideline I'm seeing players having tantrums and I'm seeing a guy on the sideline who looks disconnected from everything. He just sits there with the playsheet infront of his face while things unfurl.

Carroll, hell even guys known for being disconnected like Belicheck, would swiftly intervene in those situations. It's not the performance, but the inability to meet the players that is making me uncomfortable. The coaching staff seems disconnected from the players, our DC, Grubb, MacDonald.

Pete had a lot of issues and it was time for him to go. One thing he was great at is talking players down from whatever they were going through. The biggest area I'm seeing this is with Geno. He'd be throwing fits on the sideline or out on the field and Pete would calm him down. I don't know if those 4th quarter comebacks happen without somebody like Pete. With MacDonald he's having huge meltdowns on the sideline and MacDonald is just pretending like it is not happening, playsheet glued to his face. Grubb is up in the booth, far removed from players, so he's no help here either.

It's a learning process and I think that MacDonald can become one of the premier defensive minds in the NFL as HC. He has the X's and O's down, it's just a matter of getting the player management aspect down. That is the issue I see here. Players going off of the rails and a lack of involvement in righting the ship from all of the coaching staff.

MacDonald can still succeed, but I think it's clear that this coaching staff has some learning to do all around. That is also okay, Carroll, Bellicheck, and countless other legends had really piss poor performances their first years. It's a different skillset all together to be a HC, especially when you come from an HC that is as established as the Harbaugh line. MacDonald can still turn it around, but as of right now, I definitely do seeing a few worrying trends.

 

[Fox0r]

It's definitely gonna take time, just like it did with Pete. Looking forward to seeing this thing build.

Same. It was magical watching Pete's masterpiece unfold. Trust God has something better in store for some of the vets on this team.

 

[Fox0r]

Yeah, you need at least four pallbearers.

I wish there was a confused face emoji, cuz that one flew over my head XD

 

[Nosferatu]

Agreed. Give the guy more than 12 games. I see him trying to put his identity on the team and am excited.

 

[toffee]

Agreed. Give the guy more than 12 games. I see him trying to put his identity on the team and am excited.

Praying that our genius Young Macdonald and Schneider are on the same page and working as a team.

 

[TwistedHusky]

The LB thing today is the kind of thing that worries me. Makes me wonder if he can be a good HC here, with what he has or can get.
MM even said, he expects a lot from his LBs.
We have the worst LB group in the league.
Does it make sense to build your defense around players you don't even have...and might not be able to even get?

LBs are typically cheaper than OL, corners or pass rushers. You might be able to get a great LB in the top third of the draft in the 1st round. Maybe even luck into a great LB in the 2nd or 3rd round like we did with Bobby. But HOF LBs come around every 5 or so years - so its a risk.

Right now, I haven't seen much from MM in terms of success HERE. In Baltimore, sure. But was that even him? Or was it part of the program and framework in place at Baltimore (Harbaugh et al)? No idea. But again, not a given it wasn't.

For all the crap we fling about Grubb, the people consistently underperforming have been the DC and HC. But Year 1 can be a clustereff. So we will find out in Yr 3. Frankly, I've seen ONE game under him where the defense performed well or exceptionally. The rest ranged from disappointing to vomit-inducing. At this point, I would much rather hire Saleh as DC - since we know he has produced incredible defenses in two locations with 2 very different rosters.

So can MM succeed here? No idea. Not much results to pin our hopes on in the games we have seen. It has almost been very Moraesque so far but we will see.

 

[toffee]

No more doubts. We're all in.

We are totally all in, our able HC is ridding the team of all the cancers or also known as players signed by Schneider.

 

[knownone]

There seems to be a tangible level of cope within our fanbase at the moment. Expectations are down to all-time lows for a team that supposedly underachieved at 9 wins last season.

You look at what a culture setter like Jim Harbaugh has done with the Chargers in half a season and it's hard not to be disappointed in our team. Harbaugh's fixed a similarly bad defense, established a physical rushing attack, and taken pressure off his QB.

Meanwhile, we're trending in the opposite direction. We're more reliant than ever on Geno. Our rushing attack has all but disappeared. And the defense, which has shown improvement in some areas, is still giving up the most points in franchise history since 2010. And while some will draw parallels to Pete's first season, it's worth noting we had the 28th ranked offense in 2010, and we're currently ranked 12th. There is really no comparison between those two situations. Quite frankly, Mike inherited a much better team than Pete.

Whether people care to admit it or not, the next few games are huge for MM. If this season continues to go off the rails, and we're staring down double digit losses after a 3-0 start. His seat is going to get hot.

 

[toffee]

There seems to be a tangible level of cope within our fanbase at the moment. Expectations are down to all-time lows for a team that supposedly underachieved at 9 wins last season.

You look at what a culture setter like Jim Harbaugh has done with the Chargers in half a season and it's hard not to be disappointed in our team. Harbaugh's fixed a similarly bad defense, established a physical rushing attack, and taken pressure off his QB.

Meanwhile, we're trending in the opposite direction. We're more reliant than ever on Geno. Our rushing attack has all but disappeared. And the defense, which has shown improvement in some areas, is still giving up the most points in franchise history since 2010. And while some will draw parallels to Pete's first season, it's worth noting we had the 28th ranked offense in 2010, and we're currently ranked 12th. There is really no comparison between those two situations. Quite frankly, Mike inherited a much better team than Pete.

Whether people care to admit it or not, the next few games are huge for MM. If this season continues to go off the rails, and we're staring down double digit losses after a 3-0 start. His seat is going to get hot.

Broken record here, we were 9-8 last year, we have every reason to believe the roster is no worse, especially the offense. The 12s have every reason to expect 9-8 or better.

 

[SPOHAWK]

Same. It was magical watching Pete's masterpiece unfold. Trust God has something better in store for some of the vets on this team.

Petes 1st year 7-9. backed into playoffs...then beastquake all up from there! Keep the faith!

 

[Atradees]

Paid Mike too much to jettison him.

 

[strohmin]

It's definitely gonna take time, just like it did with Pete. Looking forward to seeing this thing build.

Pete was at his best when he was cutthroat about the type of players he wanted on the team. He brought guys to give them a chance and cut them when they didnt take advantage of the oppurtunity. He got soft after that superbowl loss holding onto worthless players even when it was obvious how bad they were.

 

[onanygivensunday]

Yeah, you need at least four pallbearers.

I wish there was a confused face emoji, cuz that one flew over my head XD

I'll try... you, "Mike will carry this team"... Rat's brain, "this team is dead meat, Mike's gonna need help at the funeral".

Does that help?

 

[AROS]

Mike’s seat remains cold all season regardless of final record or circumstance. I believe ownership is looking at the long haul here as they should. Now if in 2025 we are 4-13 and 2026 we are 3-14, then his seat can fry an egg.

 

[seahawks08]

Mike is fine. Hopefully Leslie Fraser is mentoring him on the optics. He needs a few more games and then build a roster to fit his scheme. Unless the scheme is translated on to the field, you will have some pains. Geno can be frustrated, I want to see him scream to get the Oline right. Tom Brady has done that too. Competitive people throw some fits. JSN will start getting better. Winning will solve everything. Chargers have been drafting well and early. Hawks were selling their farm. Last two drafts were more need based, the next will be as well. I think year 3 will be when you see us start stomping teams with our will. That’s my hope.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

Still seems way too early to be talking hot seat and/or assuming he's not going to be a hell of a coach, imo. Screaming and yelling doesn't make someone a good coach. If they're still playing like this middle of next season? I'll start to be concerned for sure.
Many have mentioned a lack of talent on this roster. Obviously, it's very debatable how good the talent really is. Just my own opinion, but football is won in the trenches. This team gets pushed around in the trenches. For now.

 

[Tusc2000]

I don't think MM is going to be fired any time soon -- but I also am not seeing a lot of hope for the future. We needed to move on from Pete, but if so, picking another Defensive guy was a wrong-headed move. We're stuck with this guy for a while.