The Baltimore Ravens’ offense is showing life and it could result in renewed energy for the careers of two former head coaches who work on the staff.
Rick Neuheisel and Jim Fassel – two Ravens assistants with Colorado ties – come into town Monday night as big parts of the Ravens’ offensive resurgence. After years of playing caddie to Baltimore’s superb defense, the offense has come alive at critical times this season and is a big reason the Ravens are 4-0 heading into their game against the Broncos.
If the offense continues to improve, both Neuheisel and Fassel may get another chance at a head coaching post.
Neuheisel was the head coach at Colorado from 1995-98. That train was derailed by his participation in a college basketball tournament pool while he was the head coach at Washington. Neuheisel has done a nice job repairing his career and is in his third season as the Ravens’ quarterbacks coach, now mentoring veteran Steve McNair.
Fassel, the Broncos’ offensive coordinator in 1993-94, is the Ravens’ offensive coordinator. He is looking for a second NFL run as a head coach after a mostly successful turn as the head coach of the New York Giants.
“Right now, my sole focus is the Baltimore Ravens and making this work,” Fassel said. “But getting another head coaching job is something that I am interested in.”
Fassel would prefer to stay in the NFL, but said he would entertain potential college jobs.
One school that could show interest is Stanford, where Fassel recruited John Elway. The school had interest in Fassel before it hired current coach Walt Harris. But another handful of NFL jobs likely will come open in January.
Neuheisel admits his love for the college game. In recent years, coaches who have been involved in scandals, such as Mike Price and George O’Leary, have gotten second chances. Neuheisel hopes his opportunity for redemption is now. Last year, Neuheisel’s name was mentioned at a few schools, most notably San Diego State.
Neuheisel, 45, said he finds himself looking forward to Saturdays, when he watches as much college football as possible.
“Saturdays are amazing,” Neuheisel said. “I certainly hope I get another chance. There is nothing like coaching on Saturdays. I’d be dishonest if I said I wasn’t interested in being head coach in the colleges again. I’m so sick I even miss the recruiting.”
Neuheisel said the key for him will be for a school to look at his entire résumé and not just how his head coaching career was halted.
“If you did a Google search on Rick Neuheisel, you could come up with several different opinions of who I am,” he said. “But hopefully, at the end of the day, people will know that I can bring a lot to a football program.”
In the meantime, the task for both men is to continue the renaissance of the Ravens’ offense. It is an offense that is improved, but also one that Fassel admits can be “points challenged” at times.
“We’re not a finished product,” Neuheisel said. “But we’re better and that’s a big start.”
And perhaps it’s the start of another chance for both Neuheisel and Fassel in the big chair.
Bears looking mighty tough
Chicago: Many NFL observers believe the Bears may waltz into the Super Bowl. The season is only a quarter over, but the Bears have the inside track to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.
The Bears put themselves in great position by whipping defending conference champion Seattle at home last Sunday night.
The Bears are 4-0 and have a major edge over the 3-1 Seahawks. Essentially, the Seahawks must outplay the Bears by two games in the final 12 games to get out of having a rematch in Chicago. If the two teams finish with the same record, Chicago wins the tiebreaker because of its 37-6 victory.
Seattle is going to have a difficult time finishing with a better record than the suddenly balanced Bears. Chicago has an easy remaining schedule. Its home schedule is perhaps the easiest in the NFL.
The road to the Super Bowl will likely go through Chicago – and in January, that will be difficult duty.
Culpepper hurting Dolphins
Miami: The Dolphins are in big trouble, and it runs much deeper than a 1-3 start. The team’s problem – a lack of a quality quarterback – is the same as it was last season. Daunte Culpepper is killing the Dolphins and the problem doesn’t appear to be his surgically repaired knee. It appears to be Culpepper’s head. His confidence is shot. He looks lost and ineffective.
Before Culpepper was traded by the Vikings for a second-round pick in the offseason, his biggest problem was the mental aspect of the game. He had issues with confidence and decision-making.
If it continues to be more of the same for Culpepper in Miami, coach Nick Saban may go with Joey Harrington. That scenario seemed impossible before the season, but the Dolphins may have no choice.
Titans crashing
Tennessee: Things are falling apart rapidly for the Titans. Not only is this arguably the worst team in the NFL, but it is the most dysfunctional.
It goes way beyond the Albert Haynesworth suspension. Cornerback Adam Jones continues to be a problem, quarterback Vince Young is being thrown to the wolves and the front office is about to blow.
Coach Jeff Fisher and general manager Floyd Reese’s already frayed relationship appears to be getting worse. It’s all but certain one, and perhaps both, of these men will be gone at the end of the season. Fisher is most likely to go.
That won’t be the end of the world for Fisher, one of the most respected coaches in the league. He’d quickly have his choice of jobs. Plus, it won’t hurt to leave the Titans mess behind.
Around the league
Many in the NFL were surprised when Green Bay released cornerback Ahmad Carroll on Tuesday, one night after he was toasted by the Eagles. A first-round pick two years ago, Carroll hasn’t been great by any stretch, but players of his ability at that position always have a spot on teams. It shows the Packers’ brass is getting restless. …
The amazing story of Charles Rogers continues. The former No. 2 draft choice is jobless after being cut by Detroit last month. With many receivers available, Rogers may have a difficult time getting a job. His workouts in Tampa Bay and Miami were not impressive and he is falling off the radar. …
How ’bout Brandon Miree? He started in place of Pro Bowler William Henderson last week for Green Bay. Miree was on Denver’s practice squad the past two seasons and was cut last month. …
Quick fact: Oakland hasn’t been 0-4 since 1961. Yikes.
EXTRA POINTS
AT ISSUE
Don’t kick respect
What: NFL players playing by the rules and having respect for their fellow man.
Background: Respect for someone’s safety came in question last week when Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth stomped on the bare head of Dallas Cowboys center Andre Gurode, who needed several stitches on his forehead and underneath his eye. Haynesworth was suspended, without pay, for five games.
Williamson’s take: Haynesworth deserved what he got and the incident served as a needed reminder to the rest of the league. It showed players they must have respect for others in the league. Every player I spoke to about this incident was genuinely appalled by Haynesworth’s actions. The players realized how serious injuries can occur when play gets dirty. Football is dangerous and violent enough. Players get hurt on clean plays. Several players admitted they get angry on the field but calm themselves before doing something stupid. Haynesworth never allowed himself to think. He simply acted in the worst way, and it will affect the rest of his NFL career.
THE HOT SEAT
Pressure on McNabb
Who: Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb.
When: Today against visiting Dallas.
Why: T.O. is in town. And we all know how he affects McNabb. The pressure is not on Owens. He knows he’ll get booed every time he’s on the field – not just when he touches the ball – but every time his feet touch the field. It’s just a given that it’s going to be a challenging day for T.O., but that’s what he loves. Today is going to be a breeze for T.O. The real pressure is on McNabb, whose season was ruined partly because of Owens last year. McNabb seems to freeze up around Owens. He can exorcize his demons with a big game today. McNabb has had a great bounce-back season thus far. He can’t allow Owens to affect it by pressing and having a poor game in the T.O. Bowl.
ROOKIE WATCH
Disapproval rating
Who: New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush
When: Today against visiting Tampa Bay.
Why: Bush needs to pick it up. While the Saints have been terrific, Bush has been a tad disappointing. His video game-like moves that won him the Heisman Trophy in college just haven’t translated to the NFL yet. Don’t get me wrong, Bush hasn’t been a bust. But he hasn’t been a difference maker, either. He isn’t even close to the best running backs in the league – and running back is the one position where players can make an instant impact. Bush actually has been a better threat as a receiver. On running plays, he seems to be trying to rely on outmaneuvering defenders. That doesn’t work in the NFL. He’s going to have to learn to run harder and with more decisiveness or this much-anticipated NFL career will be a disappointment.
Broncos mailbag: Bill Williamson posts a new installment each Tuesday on DenverPost.com. Previous mailbags also are available on the website.
Staff writer Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-954-1262 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com
