re: Why not McMillan?

quote:

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First of all, this would be an irrational approach for a coach to take. You start the guy you think will help you to win that game.

Second of all, this is a lose lose situation. You don’t play to the future and also play to the fans perception. When half your fan base wants you gone yesterday, you don’t play for tomorrow. You can’t afford to listen to the fans who want a guy that will need to take his lumps when those same fans will want you gone for not winning every single game.

Bottom line is a coach can’t afford to think that way.

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I don't think Orgeron is making coaching decision purely on fans' or media opinions but he isn't living in a vacuum. He doesn't have the pedigree to lose with JM and survive. I think it is a lose lose situation if Orgeron decided to start JM. That is, unless JM led the team to division title, Orgeron's offensive moves would be viewed as a complete failure.

It is one thing to fire your OC after 1 season and promote a TE coach. It is another if that TE coach can't implement an offensive system or coach up the young QB talent on the roster so that either Brennan or Narcisse can develop into the starter with a whole offseason of preparation.

Maybe that is unfair to JM, but having to start JM would mean that anything less than a Western division title would be viewed as complete roster failure by everyone. Orgeron could have some ups and downs with Brennan/Narcisse if it appears that he made a good hire with Ensminger and installed an offense that was utilizing the young QB talent well.

If you lose with Brennan/Narcisse but the system appears to be installed and effective or at least built for their strengths then you can build on that headed into year 3.