Big Blue Huddle

The weekend has finally giving me some down time.   I am reading Mike Lombardi's Football Done Right.   He was reviewing the greatest coaches in NFL history.   Being a good teacher is a common thread among the greats.  Other traits varied, but most have this trait in common.   I really haven't heard much about Daboll's teaching skills.

It would be coming from players, and other coaches. Good point, Rich. I don't think Josh Allen has given him any credit, has he?

Quote from: Ed Vette on May 26, 2024, 08:31:51 AMIt would be coming from players, and other coaches. Good point, Rich. I don't think Josh Allen has given him any credit, has he?

I don't recall Allen talking about Daboll, in terms of his development.  I have only heard him mention his private coach.  Although, admittedly, I don't follow Josh Allen that closely.

I found a good article at the The Athletic (pay wall).   It doesn't sound like teaching is a strength.  Its not a weakness but it wouldn't be among his strengths.  His strengths are relationships with players, creativity, and collaboration.


https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/2324003/2021/01/15/brian-daboll-bills-coaching/

I think it's hard for fans to really know. Maybe those of us who have attended live camp sessions (I have not) and have managed to be within earshot of Daboll or at least observe his body language can have some idea, but the reality is it's difficult for any of us to really know other than what we hear others say, which is only reliable some of the time, as people (especially people who work for him or play for him) tend to only say complimentary things.

I dont want Dans to be a teacher.  I want his coaches to be teachers.  I want Dabs to have great organizational skills, strategize brilliantly and lead in a way that the team follows him.

Interesting discussion.

Many different ways to look at this. Look at his coaching history, for starters:

Brian Daboll - Wikipedia

With the pedigree he has, it would be impossible to state he doesn't teach while he coaches. Now, if you are talking teacher, in terms of an academic approach (e.g. lesson plans, terminal and enabling learning objectives, deciding to use cognitive vs. kinesthetic methodogies to reinforce critical objectives), then I really don't know the answer. Tom Coughlin may have been one of the few to take it to that extreme, possibly Fassel to a lesser extent.

If I were to take an educated guess, Daboll should be able to teach through his position coaches since they are the ones who are required to be lockstep with him. You really cannot judge him based on a few edited NFL Films clips for the public to watch. There really is no substitute to going to the games and observing the position coaches working with the players, and then watching Daboll interact with each group. When I went to the Arizona game last year, I was a bit shocked to see Coach Daboll standing by himself quite a bit as the Cards built up their 0-20 halftime lead. He didn't even interact much with Danny Dimes. I just found that to be most odd. The second half, however, he seemed a bit more revved up but let the position coaches do their jobs.

I would recommend putting this topic in the parking lot until training camp and let's get some volunteers here to sign up and observe Daboll during camp. With actual observation data, from multiple sources from this board, I think you'll be able to synthesize a far more honest and objective response to the question versus guessing or assuming.

Peace!

Well its probably impossible to be a teacher of all the positions
What you want is to be a teacher of fundamentals
How to attack
How to set up plays
How to read certain things
The rule book
Planning for 2 mintue drills
Etc

Quote from: Philosophers on May 26, 2024, 10:09:33 AMI dont want Dans to be a teacher.  I want his coaches to be teachers.  I want Dabs to have great organizational skills, strategize brilliantly and lead in a way that the team follows him.

Good point. I've observed him in moments of one on one with a player but his position coaches are the teachers. He meets and coaches his staff. As a good leader, he should work through them. I even question how much one on one he had with Josh Allen over the QB Coach but an OC and HC he will spend more time with the QB than any other player or position. The QB is involved with the Game Plan on a weekly basis and a lot of the Offensive is developed around the QB.

The bigger question is whether Daboll is a good HC period

That's what he was hired for

The jury is still out but leaning towards dismissal if further positivity is not provided

He needs to run the table this year, or at least earn a shot at the 8 ball