Game One New NFL Head Coaches Report Card

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Trey Johnson - 9/16/2006 8:45 AM

When the 2006 football season kicked off seven teams were under the direction of first time head coaches. In this article I will take a quick look at each of those seven coaches and grade them on their new teams week one performances. One game does not make a season so these grades will definitely change as the year progresses.

Brad Childress (Minnesota Vikings) – Grade A
What does Brad Childress do in his first game as a head coach? He leads his team to victory on Monday Night football, against hall of fame coach Joe Gibbs, in Washington on the fifth anniversary of 9/11. Childress came into Minnesota vowing to change the attitude and perception of a team that has seen its fair share of controversy off the field. To prove that point he deactivated safety Dwight Smith before the game for indecent conduct. Childress is a hard nosed coach who demands discipline in his players. He should see immediately success with a talented group of players who will thrive under his hands on leadership style.

Scott Linehan (St Louis Rams) – Grade A
It looks like the smartest move Scott Linehan made when he became the new Rams head coach was hiring former Saint head coach Jim Haslett as defensive coordinator. Offensively the Rams started the season a little shaky with their 18 points coming on six field goals by Jeff "Money" Wilkins. It was the Ram defense led by Haslett that won this game. The St Louis D held Plummer to 13 of 26 passing for 138 yards and three interceptions. They forced five total turnovers and held the Denver to 259 yards of total offense. When the Rams get their offense back on track, which with players like Marc Bulger, Steven Jackson and Torry Holt shouldn't be long they will once again be a force to deal with.

Sean Payton (New Orleans Saints) – Grade B
Quarterback guru Sean Payton just might be in the best spot of all the new head coaches. With Drew Brees under center, running backs Duece McAllister and Reggie Bush along with receiver Joe Horn the Saints should have no trouble putting points on the board. Defensively they need to improve but they are good enough to keep games close. Although their game one win came against a stagnant Cleveland squad a win is a win. Don't be surprised if you see the Saints contending for a wild card spot this season.

Eric Mangini (New York Jets) – Grade B
If I were a new head coach in the NFL I would be excited if my first game was against the Tennessee Titans. At 35 Eric Mangini the youngest head coach in the league went into Tennessee and came away with an impressive 23-16 win. His quarterback Chad Pennington returned from two shoulder surgeries to lead all NFL quarterbacks with a 24 of 33 for 319 yard and two touchdown performance. Both Tennessee and the Jets finished last season 4-12. While the Titans seem to be destined for another poor season the Jets led by Belichick protégé Eric Mangini look to regain their form of a couple season ago. The Jets will be a playoff mainstay once again maybe not this year but soon.

Gary Kubiak (Houston Texans) – Grade C
Gary Kubiak spent the last 11 seasons under Mike Shanahan as the Denver Bronco offensive coordinator. During that time he was instrumental in two Super Bowl wins and numerous high ranking offensive units. With all the young talent on the Houston offense he is the perfect man for the job. Unfortunately for Kubiak his game one opponent was a healthy, hungry Philadelphia Eagle squad. He may have a C grade for game one but it will go up. The Texans are young and will only get better under Kubiaks leadership. Believe it or not the Texans will be a playoff contender in a year or two.

Rod Marinelli (Detroit Lions) – Grade D
Marinelli is known as one of the finest defensive line coaches in the league. That was apparent with the way the Lion defense put a strangle hold on the defending NFC champion Seattle in game one holding them to three field goals. Unfortunately Marinelli couldn't get his extremely talented offense on track as they managed only two field goals. Detroit had a tough task taking on Seattle in game one but they hung tough. Once the Detroit players buy into Marinelli's hard-nosed style they should have a very successful run in the Motor City .

Mike McCarthy (Green Bay Packers) – Grade F
With Brett Favre back Mike McCarthy was sitting in a great situation. However the former Saint and 49er offensive coordinator has never had much success. In his first game as head coach the Packers he showcased his offensive prowess by as he orchestrated the first Packer shutout in 16 years. McCarthy better figure things out fast or his reign in Green Bay will be a short one. Can you hear it? "Sherman, Sherman, Sherman!"

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