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Doug Pederson and the 3-year coaching tryout
Published29 Feb 2016
It's a hot button topic every offseason. How long does a coach need before results are expected of him?
The Cleveland Browns have made a habit of putting new coaches on short leashes, and as their franchise has fallen further and further into irrelevancy, league experts have become more and more vocal for giving coaches more time to figure things out.
But how long is long enough? As Doug Pederson enters the first year of his freshly signed five-year deal, it is apparent the Eagles are invested in him for the long term and are willing to do whatever it takes to make things work with the former quarterback at the helm. However, a look at the coaches who have held a Lombardi Trophy above their head shows that it should not take that long to decided whether Pederson has the ability to take the Eagles to the pinnacle of professional football.
Growing pains should be expected in Pederson's first year. Super Bowl-winning coaches compiled a winning percentage of .495 in their first year, although, to be fair, an average team could end up winning the NFC East which may be even weaker in 2016 than it was a season ago.
However, 12 coaches did make the playoffs in their first season with the team they would eventually win a championship with, and four finished the campaign with a Lombardi.
Year Two is where most coaches separate themselves, averaging 9.5 wins. With the Eagles and Pederson, everything rides on what he decides to do at quarterback.
If he decides to ride with Sam Bradford, nine or 10 wins is not out of the question. However, if Paxton Lynch or Connor Cook is the quarterback, the Eagles would need more time to build around their young signal caller.
But Year Three, which for Pederson will be the 2018 season, will be make-or-break. Of the coaches who have won a Super Bowl, only three hadn't made the playoffs or won their first championship by the end of their third campaign. Those coaches are Tom Landry, who was starting a franchise from scratch, Chuck Noll, who ended up with four Lombardi trophies on his mantle, and Weeb Ewbank, who took over the Baltimore Colts in just their second year of existence. Since Pederson is taking over a team that is not brand new, these examples are nothing more than frivolous outliers.
So maybe teams shouldn't just let coaches coach for years in hopes of them turning things around — looking at you, Jacksonville. So bookmark this and in three years we will decide if Pederson has the Eagles on the verge of greatness, or if things are on the brink of falling apart.
Social Media Stars
Fun fact: Paxton Lynch's father played hoops at Texas Wesleyan, where his roommate was a 6-10 kid named Mark Calaway, aka, The Undertaker.
— Robert Klemko (@RobertKlemko) February 29, 2016
I'm sold. Forget everything I've written regarding Bradford. Lynch is now the guy.
— Aaron Talasnik (@ATalasnikCSN) February 24, 2016
The release of DeMeco Ryans was surprising and oddly unceremonious for a guy who was considered to be the leader of the defense since his arrival. Still, a position that was lacking depth is now a gaping hole. The Eagles must address the linebackers this offseason.
Quick Hits
- Ian Rapoport reported last week that DeMarco Murray is still unhappy in Philadelphia and that the Eagles would be willing to trade him. First of all, of course the Eagles would be willing to rid themselves of Murray's contract. If it wasn't for guaranteed money, he would have already been released. But the fact that Murray has not become happy yet shouldn't surprise anyone either. Thanks to the current CBA, coaches are unable to have contact with their players in the offseason other than a simple hello. Until there can be a proper airing of grievances and Pederson can assure Murray that his workload will resemble what it was in Dallas, his attitude won't change.
- A report came out yesterday saying the Eagles have stepped up their offer to Bradford and want to get a deal done quickly. I've been pretty adamant in my support for Bradford as the quarterback of the future, but the Eagles need to tread carefully. Howie Roseman cannot write a blank check to a 28-year-old, injury-prone quarterback. But Bradford still represents the best option available and can turn this thing around the quickest. It is apparent the locker room is behind the signal-caller and Pederson and company have spoken of Bradford in a positive light the past few months. Now it's just time to wait and see if the QB feels the same way about Philadelphia.
Tucker Bagley is a columnist for Eagledelphia. Follow him on Twitter @tbagley515.
