Anonymous Head Coach Survey (Season 62) - RZ Athletic

by adelfish | 4 years ago | 1 Comments

RZ Athletic - Anonymous Coach Survey - Season 62

Welcome to the RZ Athletic Anonymous Coach Survey! Similar to the survey we ran with the General Managers earlier in the season, this survey polled almost half of the coaches in Red Zone, asking 7 questions that we thought would get some interesting responses.

Enjoy the survey!

1) - What quarterback/wide receiver/head coach combination would you least like to face in a big game this season?

-"Tompa Bay. Brady makes his OL significantly better with his abilities, and that WR group is one of, if not the best receiving group in the league."

-"Carson Wentz and Coach Adel. He has been the best quarterback in the league in terms of limiting turnovers, and the offense is designed for Wentz's strengths. They are tough to stop."

-"Lamar Jackson and Coach Blueprint is the easy answer here. He brings an added ability to burn defenses for big gains with his legs in a way no other quarterback really can that makes it very tough to defend him."

-"Probably Tom Brady/Mike Evans and Coach Reid. Brady just finds a way to make all the throws, even at his age. And the mixture of size, speed and agility make Evans a matchup nightmare, regardless of the QB; just so happens to be the ???? throwing to him."

-"If there is a QB/WR tandem I don't want to face it has to be Josh Allen/Diggs. Those guys' chemistry took off quickly, they both are top 5 in all the important categories, it's crazy."

-"Lamar Jackson and Blueprint, easy. He has built an offense that works so well with Jackson's strengths, and he has managed to do his best job ever as a head coach. I'm so pumped for him."

-"Lefty and Aaron Rodgers, sure they've struggled against teams that have winning records, but is there any coach more seasoned to take his team down the field than Aaron Rodgers, with the strategic playcalling of Lefty behind him? Don't count these guys out, ever."

-"I gotta go with Coach Blueprint and Lamar in Baltimore. I'm not sure how you stop them. If you stack the box, Lamar will find Hollywood Brown who runs by anyone without safety help. If you sit back, Lamar will run himself or hand it off and get yards behind that offensive line. Blueprint is doing his best coaching job I've ever seen from him. Definitely not a team I'd want to see in the Super Bowl if we're lucky enough to make it."

-"How can it not be Baltimore? Find me a better coach suited for this combination than Blueprint, who has been building offenses for Russell Wilson for years. Blueprint deserves all the credit in the world for what he has done."

-"Tauph and Brady. Despite the interceptions, I think this is the most dangerous combination. It's the best quarterback and wide receiver group Tauph has ever had. I think if you need a final drive, he can give you one."

-"This one is easy for me. It's Wentz and Adel. Wents is taking care of the ball while putting up big numbers. Adel calls a solid game plan for him as well. When Wentz is healthy he is elite."

-"Easy answer. Whoever the Raiders QB is and Henry Ruggs, because let's be honest, with Ruggs on the field the QB don't matter. Man is a cheat code and you have to gameplan your entire offense around him."

-"Gotta be Astin and Lock. Crazy, I know. Lock isn't very good, but Astin does things that protect his quarterback, he is the best in the league at doing that. He elevates his players so much that Lock actually becomes scary in that offense."

2) - What quarterback/head coach combination would you most like to face in a big game this season?

-"I hate to say it, but Mahomes and Spitz. But that's just based off of this season. There's a snowball affect in KC right now that even Stevie Wonder could snag a couple INTs on any given Sunday. With that being said,  I think Coach Spitz will eventually find his groove and makes us all eat crow."

-"Roc and Tannehill, because Roc can't throw the ball. If you can contain Henry and get up on the Titans, he is lowkey one of the worst passers in our league."

-"Kirk Cousins and Coach Eikim. They have struggled quite a bit and Kirk Cousins isn’t the most talented quarterback to begin with. I would expect the backup to be in pretty quickly based on the recent film I’ve seen put out there by Cousins and the Vikings."

-"Give me the Jets. That team is doo doo and no one scares me on that roster. Darnold is overrated!"

-"I would say Mahomes and Spittah, but they won't be in any big games this season. They've been terrible together, an awful marriage. In a big game, give me Coach Tiko Brown and Derek Carr. If you can key in on Ruggs (who is incredible), I think he is a shaky play caller."

-"Well taking out any team that is under .500 at the moment since by definition they can't be in a "big game", I'm going Coach White Greg and Dak. He's having a fine year looking at the stats, but Coach Greg has never proven anything so far in his tenure. I'll take my chances until he proves he can win big games. He is definitely one of those coaches that tries to do too much at times. If you sit back and wait, he'll eventually make a mistake or two to lose the game"

**EDITORS NOTE** - The Cowboys have lost 3 straight since this submission, go figure!

-"Tauph and Tom Brady. Brady elevates this coaching staff, but Tauph has ALWAYS been mediocre and finds ways to lose. This season he is having is a total mirage, I give all the credit to TB12."

-"The Jets. Sam Darnold and Moji, and this is no shot at Moji, I am voting him for Coach of the Year. I don't trust that offense come playoff time, and they have shown they are prone to make mistakes. I would love to see the Jets come playoff time."

-"Panos and Allen, all you have to do is key in on Stefon Diggs and this guy has no idea what he is doing. Gameday proved it watching them versus the Cardinals. This is a mediocre coaching staff with a mediocre quarterback, it is a really bad pairing."

-"Jimmy G and Ernest, his offense is 100% about keeping the ball out of Jimmy's hands, and getting it to his run game. This entire offense is built around being safe and not making mistakes. Come playoff team that is going to cost them, I just don't think they are fit to compete in the playoffs with how scared and conservative they play."

-"Although I think he won't be a part of any big games, gotta be Jake and Rivers. He has shown that he can't win the big one, and I'd love to play him in a playoff game. I think he'd make me look really good."

-"Come on man, give me ANYBODY in the AFC East. We played them this year and all of the Coach/QBs in that division are shaky. Moji is obviously the best, and will win the East, but facing the Jets in the playoffs? They try to do way too much, which lead to mistakes. Nobody is scared of Buffalo, Miami, NE."

-"I'd like to face Coach Moji and Sam. I'm impressed with what they've done so far this season, especially considering that team lacks talent basically everywhere. Think it would be a good game."

**EDITOR'S NOTE** - The rare submission that a coach wanted to face a good coach.

3) - Who is the most underrated head coach in Red Zone right now? Why?

-"I don't think Coach Weedseed is getting enough credit right now for being 6-3 with that Washington team. He's a guy held in high regard for his complete tenure, but no one is talking about the start they're off to." (Washington is now 9-4)

-"Coach Beat is the most underrated coach. I love the person and if he was ever able to commit to the GM work the way many do in this league he could be pretty successful. His game play is not bad even with the QB carousel he has going on with that Bears team at the moment."

-"Weedseed. He has one of the worst rosters in the WFT, but is sitting nicely at 6-3 on the year. He is probably not going to go far with them, but that team should probably be below .500."

-"Coach Sowers and that Atlanta staff is the most underrated. Quietly seems to be putting it all together and let's not forget that Coach Astin won't let his BFF fall too far to the wayside without administering some tough love and pushing them to greatness.  Iron sharpens iron over there."

-"Underrated coach? It has to be Weedseed. This man took over the Football team, which many thought was one of the worst teams in the league and he is 6-3, 6 and freaking 3. Hats off to Weed and his staff over in D.C."

-"Coach Roc. It's gonna be a long cycle for the rest of the AFC South, and this season proved it. If he can keep that team together, they might get multiple rings in the next few years."

-"Weedseed, 100%. This guy does everything the right way, and he is such a good person. I root for him every cycle, and what he is doing with that Washington roster is incredible."

-"Blue!! Come on, everyone's narrative of this guy was 'How can Blue screw it up?'. He has always been a strong coach, just has yet to get over the hump. It's time we all talk about Blue."

-"Gotta be Mr. Snyder right? Who else is winning 8+ games with this roster, especially the way he has been winning? He has impressed more with this team than the Chiefs, Cowboys, Saints, Bills...he is such a solid coach. He deserves more rings, honestly."

-"Metal...am I crazy? Seriously, guy is 7-5 AFTER trading away his best defensive player. He is reminding everyone that he is an elite coach in our league. Remember, he won 3 titles in a row, and nobody is talking about him as a threat in the AFC. Watch out."

4) - Who is the most overrated head coach in Red Zone right now? Why?

-"I'd go with Lefty. Yeah he's leading his division and yeah he's 4-0 in the division, but that team was supposed to be better than 7-5 at this point. They'll make the playoffs, but I don't think they make it past the divisional round and idk what the future of that team looks like."

-"At this point in the season he probably isn't overrated, but coming into the season, there isn’t another choice other than Spittah. This man takes over the defending Super Bowl Champs and he is 2-8. You have the best qb in the league with all of those weapons and you can’t get to .500. Hands down coming into the season most overrated Coach."

-"Tiko and the Raiders. Fun Fact: They have not beaten a team with a winning record. NEXT!"

**EDITOR'S NOTE** - The Raiders beat the Chargers in Week 9 who are now 7-5

-"I have to go with Coach Ramesu here. He’s been fantastic in the regular season but has been up and down over his tenure in the league. The playoff failures are still very much in focus and until he breaks that proverbial glass ceiling he will be the most over rated in my book. Winning in the regular season is great but you have to do it when the lights shine brightest."

-"Coach Glenn and those Patriots are easily the most overrated. They're loaded with talent from top to bottom and that's the only reason for their limited success. The playcalling over there is atrocious, on both sides of the ball. Literally uses 3 different man coverage formations throughout the game. Offensively the playcalling is vanilla and even gets away with a few attempts at button-catches. Lost a pivotal game to him due to a button catch last cycle and the lack of disciplinary action has bled over to his attempts at it again this cycle (higher reward than risk)."

-"This is going to sound a little crazy, but I'm going with a coach who is 10-1, Coach Tauph. He's only beaten 3 teams that have a winning record so far, and one of those games, they faced a 4th quarter deficit to the Packers who handed the game away. He's also been a guy that throws the ball into some terrible spots. If your defense can catch a few of those balls and get Brady out of the game, he is very beatable because his running game is nothing to worry about. I just think unti proven otherwise, a team that is careful with the ball and doesn't make their own mistakes will beat him when it comes down to it, because you know you're getting mistakes from him."

-"Jake, what does he do that earns this reputation as a contender? Yes he was good in Washington last year, and made a Super Bowl with the Rams, but seriously, what has he done lately? That team is the best on paper in the South, and he is potentially finishing last? I've sold all my stock."

-"Lefty, guy gets a free ride to a division title but can't beat any of the contenders in the NFC. The alarm went off for me after they were routed by the Buccaneers, his style is not good enough to compete with high flying offenses. I think he continues to get a pass because of his history, I personally haven't had any issues with him, especially last cycle."

-"JP, although he is losing a high rating fast. We all crowned him as the AFC East champion for this season based on what? He has NEVER been a contender in my mind, when has he ever won a big playoff game that he wasn't accused of cheating in? Joking aside, he isn't good enough to win 3 straight playoff games, and losing the division to the Jets proves my point."

-"Falcons and Kelly, he admitted he used things to his advantage last time he was here, and now that he is back he has been below average. I don't think he can get back to competing for titles this cycle, the game passed him by."

-"Ramesu, don't trust him at all come playoff time. He is doing well in the regular season, but that is his career in a nutshell. When the playoff come, he will choke and fall in the first round, screenshot this."

-"I have two, Lefty and Jake. How long do we continue to give passes for past success? Both of these guys have elite level rosters right now and are not living up to expectations, and have looked really bad at times. We need to start evaluating on a cycle to cycle basis, not looking at Madden 17 or 18 and remembering how good people were then."

5) - What young coach right now is on the rise and will arrive within the next few seasons?

-"King John, he has been an incredible asset to our league, and has proven he knows what he is doing on the field. I think the Ravens know this too, did you see how they put up bulletin board material about Claypool? The Steelers are an offseason away from competing for the North."

-"Give me Rfox and the Lions. Once he gets acclimated to the game and the league, I could see him giving Lefty a run for the division. I am not sure how his team building is, so that will be very key with that Lions roster in the shape it's in."

-"I gotta think Coach Spencer Beech has a huge ton of potential and upside. Yes, having the Saints' all-star cast of characters can make anyone look good,  in sporadic moments,  but watching his film,  he seems a bit more composed and willing to pay attention to detail and the little nuances that make a difference here in RZ."

-"I think WG would be my answer. Seems like the Cowboys are a good fit for him, and contrary to my own belief, he's not playing terribly. If he can get his shit together and finish strong, he'll win more games. It's really that simple for him."

-"Who is arriving in the next year or 2. It may be sooner than that. Coach Moji might just be here now. This man was counted out when the season began. Now, now he is leading the division. Moji has arrived!!"

**EDITOR'S NOTE** - This coach must have forgotten that Moji has been around for years.

-"Coach Andrew is poised to get settled and give the AFC North some problems. He seems to be very invested and wants to take the time to be a winner. I know his play had fallen off a bit as of now but that Bengals team without their two best players that he traded away is clearly not a great team. If he can do a good job building it up I see him being someone who can eventually compete with the Ravens for division titles."

-"I've been impressed with King John in Pittsburgh so far. We haven't paid any attention to the actual games, but just looking at stats, being 5-5 is impressive in his rookie season. I'll be interested to see how he progresses as the years go on, and if he can improve on his solid start."

-"Andrew for sure. That roster is really bad, and he was competitive until the record got out of hand. If he has a good offseason, I think he can challenge for 2nd or 3rd in the AFC North, because Prewitt stinks."

-"Pat, I know he isn't technically 'young', but he is a coach that has been up and down. I'm really impressed with what he is doing with the Jaguars roster. Give him a couple years and I think he can win the division over Roc and Metal."

-"I want to say White Greg, but he has shown me that he can't win with a talented roster. King John and Rfox are my two choices, I love that they come from the BM coaching tree, and both have shown they can be competitive. I expect them both to challenge for their respective divisions."

6) - What coaches have handled this season the best? The worst? Why?

-"Jake for sure for worst. He went on a podcast and flexed his muscles that he was going to win the AFC South, acted offended when people predicted otherwise, and now sits at last place in the division. What a colossal waste of a season from a talented roster. For the best I would say the Jets, despite a ton of roster problems, Moji has found a way to win, and is on his way to a division title, which NOBODY (except Cave) predicted. He is such a good coach!"

-"Best? I would say Roc, he has lived up to expectation and has been a very tough out. He knows his roster well, and plays into their strengths. The worst has to be Spitz, I mean this guy is ruining the Chiefs offense every single time he calls plays for them. It's abysmal."

-"Who has handled this season the best has to be Ram and the Arizona Cardinals. In a division that is stacked beyond belief this man has his team at 8-2 and in firm control of the division. Ram and the Cardinals are a team to watch right now. The worst, honestly is probably BM and the Dolphins. During some preseason matchups this guy was torching the league. He came in Week 1 and dominated the Patriots. Since then Tua looks below average and the defense looks mediocre at best. Disappointing coach BM."

-"Best, Ramesu. After a very slow start, it wasn't looking bright for him, but now he is stringing together wins. The worst is EASILY Terry in KC. How he is struggling with that team blows my mind. 

-"Coach Roc has handled his situation well and is running the ball quite effectively. Same in Arizona for coach Ramesu with Kenyan Drake, he is running the ball pretty well. Any team that is running the ball and playing good defense is successful right now."

-"Best - It's very close in my opinion,  but Max Ballard and the Cardinals just barely edges out coach Roc and the Titans. Coach Ballard has taken full advantage of his team's strengths and weaknesses. Not pressing his team outside of their identity.  Offensively and defensively he plays his brand of football,  come hell or high water.  And more times than not it's worked out in his favor.

Worst - C'mon, your really gonna make me say it? Fine! Coach Spitz and the Chiefs have not lived up to any of the hype that's good along with a football powerhouse of their caliber.  I love Coach Spitz too dearth but right now,  they stink."

-"Best - Weed. Washington is not a good football team, but his coaching is elite. He's also a good gm, so we know the roster won't get worse, even slightly.

Worst - Spittah is running the Chiefs into the ground and I can't understand why. There was a lot of talk about how the Chiefs had a window to compete with the roster they have now, and he's doing nothing with it. It's disgusting."

-"This is a cop out answer but Astin has played this season perfectly. He dumped off a 31 year old pass rusher in a cycle where the pass rush isn't nearly as dominant, picked up an extra 1st round pick to help built that young roster, and is 7-3 right in the middle of the AFC playoff race. I don't think they win the SB this year, but they're on pace to overachieve what I expected from them."

**EDITOR'S NOTE** - The Broncos are now 10-3

- "The best for me has to be Tiko Brown and the Raiders, he has kept his mouth shut for the most part, and showed up to work and takes care of business. I love that they are competing for the division, in a division everyone expected him to finish last. The worst is JP and the Bills, which is the exact opposite of Tiko for me. All we heard from JP is talk talk talk talk talk. Seriously, he ran his mouth so much, and is about to miss the playoffs. Will this guy ever get it?"

-"I'm impressed with Astin managing to win 9 games with the Broncos roster, and becoming the clear favorite in the AFC West. I think he always finds ways to naviagate the season well. I think that Jake, JP, Prewitt, and White Greg are all lumped into my worst group. All four of these guys have talented rosters that are disappointing, and almost all of them are loud-mouthed besides Prewitt."

7) - If you were a fan of a franchise, which organization in your opinion needs to clean house just one year in?

-"This answer is pretty easy, it has to be Coach Eikim in Minnesota. Being 1-9 with a pretty solid roster, in the NFC North with only 1 proven head coach is unacceptable. Eikim should draft well and improve the roster, but hwo much will it really matter if he can't beat Chicago and Detroit now with a superior roster?"

-"The Giants need a coach that cares about improving rather than making excuses and opening up 2k. The Seahawks at 5-5 are also concerning, because that team is just going to start getting old real fast. Lastly, give me the Browns and Prew. That roster has playmakers on paper, but I don't see any on the field."

-" This one is tough. The Chiefs stick out pretty clearly here as coach Spittah has not really gotten that bunch to gel. Coach Spencer has been disappointing in NOLA with a very talented team. The Panthers could be having some buyers remorse on coach Malik. The Texans may think Metal is Mike Shannahan at this point can not win the big one anymore."

-"Giants, Jaguars, Texans and Bears all need to hit the reset button and explode that team from the bottom up.  And at least 1 of the aforementioned teams is obviously doing just that. A couple more appear as if they're doing the same but that's just because they're playing so damn bad right now."

-"I am taking an out and going with 2 teams here. Firstly, it's Glenn and the Patriots. They have so many holes on that team and I think if they were willing to part with a few major pieces it could fix the team in a year or 2 with the haul they would get. Secondly, it's the Browns. Trade OBJ and another piece take your haul and build the team you want, fill the gaps in the team now. If you don’t soon you will be at the bottom of the division real soon."

-"Chiefs. Get his ass out of there immediately. Every other team is TBD."

-"Bears, Giants, Browns. All of these teams have coaches who won't do what is required to improve their roster. Admit your mistake and fire them now."

-"Falcons. Coach Kelly has done nothing since he returned to prove he is invested in the league enough to improve the team, I think he is on a short leash."

-"I have to go with the Colts. If I was a fan of a team that hired Ricky Chapstick, I don't know what I'd do. Seriously, the fact that they are 5-7 right now is inexcusable."

-"May be a bit premature, but every coach in the AFC East not named Michael Mojica. I've raved enough about the Jets in my survey, but how, HOW, are the Jets winning the AFC East. Panos should be ashamed of himself."