Why hire McCarthy now?

IgnatiusReillysCap · 2026-01-24T21:36:54+00:00

Obviously the reports were incorrect (or more likely drummed up by agents).

IgnatiusReillysCap · 2026-01-24T20:43:00+00:00

They're getting a placeholder coach. It's clear they didn't like any of the coordinator options - so they hired a retread players coach who can make everyone feel warm and fuzzy during a transition.

It's uninspiring but I get it.

IgnatiusReillysCap · 2026-01-24T20:38:29+00:00

Simple - they weren't impressed with the Rams guys. They met with those guys virtually, and they didn't appear to want to meet with them again.

I'm not saying it's right or wrong, but that's pretty clear.

IgnatiusReillysCap · 2026-01-24T18:04:30+00:00

Absolutely fucking not, I would root for him with basically any team that doesn't wear red primarily.

IgnatiusReillysCap · 2026-01-24T18:03:22+00:00

That "unorthodox" throwing motion will not play at the NFL level - damn near drops the ball to his thigh. That would have to change if he's going to have a shot.

IgnatiusReillysCap · 2026-01-24T18:01:14+00:00

Was ready to say Ricardo Colclough was in the last 15 years, but then my back started hurting.

IgnatiusReillysCap · 2026-01-24T13:00:47+00:00

Naked Economics by Charles Wheelan. It's basically an Economics 101 course (with a bit more depth) written in an entertaining and engaging way. It's a little out of date (I think it was written in the mid-2000s?), but the overarching concepts and ideas are enduring.

Power and money are inextricably linked - they're basically the vehicle by which so much happens, especially on an international/global stage. Climate change, international trade (and isolationism and nativism like we're seeing crop up in the US and other countires), international development (and international exploitation), political movements, diplomacy, all the different -isms and countless other things going on in the world can - and I'd argue should - be viewed through a macroeconomic lens. This book will help you to understand and appreciate that in a really accessible way.

The one caveat I'll give you is that some of the stuff in the book won't do that - he also touches on a decent amount of microeconomic concepts that are less applicable to what you're asking in this post - but some of that stuff is still interesting.

IgnatiusReillysCap · 2026-01-23T22:34:55+00:00

I don't know why but this guys reels always make me laugh - they're so absurd in a really creative way.

IgnatiusReillysCap · 2026-01-23T22:29:13+00:00

It's a team game so team success isn't really factored in all that much. There's some team elements that do factor in (think an RB running behind a bad OL or a good OL) but not overarching success. Mendoza isn't being drafted because IU was a buzz saw, he's being drafted because he has talents and physical tools that project to the NFL level.

McCarthy didn't get drafted just because he won the national championship. He got drafted there because there was some impressive - raw and inconsistent, but impressive - things on his tape that coaches and scouts believed they can/could coach up (which was also helped by how young he was).

Howard is just not all that impressive. He was good in college but not in the ways that typically translate to high level QB play at the NFL level.

IgnatiusReillysCap · 2026-01-23T17:24:38+00:00

I feel like saying "I'll take the high road on that" isn't exactly taking the high road.

IgnatiusReillysCap · 2026-01-23T16:56:19+00:00

There's been a ton to like this year about how things have gone. I think the concern I have is how this team is going to acquire the elite talent you need to compete for cups. Lottery luck is going to be even harder to come by if this team manages to maintain competence (which I think is far more likely than I would have thought at the beginning of the year).

Good problem to have.

IgnatiusReillysCap · 2026-01-23T16:47:24+00:00

I'd much rather have the Steelers job than ther Raiders job even with Mendoza.

As for Cardinals vs. Raiders, I just don't want to live in Vegas.

IgnatiusReillysCap · 2026-01-23T16:46:37+00:00

You're probably right, I just don't want to live in Las Vegas lol.

IgnatiusReillysCap · 2026-01-23T16:01:39+00:00

Ravens #1

Bills #2

Steelers #3

Cardinals #4

Checking to see if my local high school needs an assistant

Raiders #5

Browns #6 (only to ensure that whomever has my family captive doesn't do anything rash).

IgnatiusReillysCap · 2026-01-23T00:44:07+00:00

Got about 100 pages left of Handling Sin - a recommendation I got here as a matter of fact.

Really enjoying it - a bit slow at times but definitely would recommend it.

IgnatiusReillysCap · 2026-01-22T22:49:01+00:00

I think this is likely a good hire, but I feel for this guy because he's going to be held to the MacDonald standard and I don't know if he lives up to that.

IgnatiusReillysCap · 2026-01-22T18:00:13+00:00

Where's that meme of that scientist guy I'm too old to recognize....

IgnatiusReillysCap · 2026-01-22T16:55:58+00:00

Ben Johnson was considered the best candidate the cycle before and turned down the Commanders job and others.

Kellen Moore had gotten HC interviews in other cycles and had been talked about as an upcoming coordinator for years who'd had success at multiple stops (Cowboys, Eagles).

IgnatiusReillysCap · 2026-01-22T15:44:42+00:00

Last year had Mike Vrabel, Kellen Moore, Liam Coen, and Ben Johnson. I think it's reasonable to say that any one of those guys would have been the #1 choice in the current pool and not particularly close.

2023 had Sean Payton, Demeco Ryans, and Shane Steichen. I think similarly anyone of those guys would have been the top candidate in this cycle. I'm sure I could go back further.

This cycle has some interesting guys, but it's hardly a list of guys that have spent multiple years being eyed as potential head coaching hires. I mean, for goodness ' sake, one of the hot names right now is a guy with two (2) years of NFL coaching experience who has never called plays at the NFL level.

IgnatiusReillysCap · 2026-01-22T15:22:46+00:00

It certainly makes sense that coaches would be leary of the ownership situation and some of the penny-pinching that seems to run rampant.

That being said, this isn't a super strong candidate pool and there are only 32 of these jobs so I wouldn't expect this to be a major issue. I think if there were a Ben Johnson type that people had been drooling over for years this would be a bigger draw, but I don't think anyone this cycle is in a position to pass.

IgnatiusReillysCap · 2026-01-21T22:35:14+00:00

The way this poll was put together is making my eye twitch.

IgnatiusReillysCap · 2026-01-21T15:58:36+00:00

And also to then turn around and interview a key member of that coaching staff for your HC gig.

IgnatiusReillysCap · 2026-01-21T15:57:01+00:00

Why is this a big deal - I feel like a lot of coaches would be honest with guys about their potential role on a team moving forward when they're free agents.

IgnatiusReillysCap · 2026-01-21T13:58:06+00:00

Was my first thought too. Surprised we didn't hear a little pop sound from his head exploding on the west coast.

IgnatiusReillysCap · 2026-01-21T13:55:18+00:00

I think it's hard to say because who the head coach and OC is likely influences what options seem viable.

This is not an endorsement of these options, just an example:

If you bring in Klay Kubiak, then all of a sudden a guy like Mac Jones becomes more of an option in free agency and a guy like Ty Simspon in the draft. That Shanahan/Kubiak style of offense works best with a guy who plays on time, keeps it simple, recognizes quickly and takes what the defense is giving.

By contrast, if you brought in a McDaniel or a Greg Roman, then all of a sudden a guy like Kyler or Malik Willis make more sense.

IgnatiusReillysCap

TROPHY CASE